Work

Vicarious Shame and Guilt

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: Participants recalled instances when they felt vicariously ashamed or guilty for another’s wrongdoing and rated their appraisals of the event and resulting motivations. The study tested aspects of social association that uniquely predict vicarious shame and guilt. Results suggest that the experience of vicarious shame and vicarious guilt are distinguishable. Vicarious guilt was predicted by one’s perceived interdependence with the wrongdoer (e.g. high interpersonal interaction), an appraisal of control over the event, and a motivation to repair the other person’s wrongdoing. Vicarious shame was predicted by the relevance of the event to a shared social identity with the wrongdoer, an appraisal of self-image threat, and a motivation to distance from the event. Implications for intergroup behavior and emotion are discussed.

Source: Group Processes & Intergroup Relations

DOI: 10.1177/1368430205051064

Authors: Brian Lickel, Toni Schmader, Mathew Curtis, Marchelle Scarnier, Daniel R. Ames

Institutions: University of Southern California, University of Arizona, Columbia University

Language: English

Topic: Emotions and Moral Behavior

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, University of Arizona, University of Arizona Foundation