Guilt and shame are very interesting emotions – often confused for one another, they still appear as two distinct experiences. What distinguishes guilt from shame, and why is this discrepancy so important?
Despite their resemblance, I propose that guilt and shame are two related processes that have entirely different impacts on a person’s psyche. In a nutshell, guilt is external, whereas shame is internal; guilt comes from others, and shame comes from within; guilt is a means of control, and shame is a means of redemption. Let’s review the two emotions independently, and then investigate how they’re related.
Despite their resemblance, I propose that guilt and shame are two related processes that have entirely different impacts on a person’s psyche. In a nutshell, guilt is external, whereas shame is internal; guilt comes from others, and shame comes from within; guilt is a means of control, and shame is a means of redemption. Let’s review the two emotions independently, and then investigate how they’re related.