Shame and guilt, misconceptions and controversies: A critical review of the literature.

Abstract

The literature on shame and guilt is very heterogeneous. Researchers and theorists in the field have used a number of definitions, approaches, and measurement methods, rendering futile any attempt at a comparative analysis. The article reviews the relevant literature and summarizes the different approaches to shame and guilt while highlighting relevant conceptual issues. The literature review is followed by a thorough delineation of the two constructs. Affective, cognitive, and phenomenological definitions are discussed for a fuller understanding of the phenomena. The cognitive attributional theory is discussed and is also used to explain the process of elicitation. The delineation of shame and guilt is followed by a comprehensive discussion of parsimony. In addition to drawing attention to the current multiplicity of definitions in the literature, the article intends to serve as a more unified framework for future studies of shame and guilt.