4L

Question 1

Social Emotions

Answer 1

“..contribute to social relationships. 
Focus on interpersonal function of 
emotions.
Guilt, shame and pride motivate to
behave appropriately within the social 
context.”

Four major features distinguish social
emotions from basic emotions
1. Self-awareness and self-representations are
required
2. No universally recognized facial expressions

3. Emerge later in childhood/cognitively complex

Requirements for experiencing/understanding
social emotions:
a) Self-awareness
b) Recognize and internalize social standards
c) Theory of Mind

4. Facilitate attainment of complex social goals

Guilt:

Harm to another person
Repair
Reinstall relationship

Shame:

Personal failure
Disappear
Re-acceptance by group

Question 2

Differences Shame and Guilt

Answer 2

Shame
An “unwanted identity”: 
one thinks that “one
is what one doesn’t want to 
be” in the view
of important others
■ Appraisal:
Stable/global cause
■ Action tendency:
Escape-related behavior
■ Self-oriented
Guilt
Violation of a moral rule, 
which caused harm or 
disadvantage to another. 
Feeling responsible
■ Appraisal:
Unstable/specific cause
■ Action tendency:
Reparative behavior
■ Other-oriented

Question 3

Social emotions and behavior, Guilt and Shame

Answer 3

Guilt
Low levels are linked to:
\+ Delinquency
\+ Psychopathy
\+ Aggression
\+ Bullying

Shame
High levels are linked to:
\+ Social Anxiety
- Self-esteem
\+ Depression
\+ Aggression