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Guilt vs. Shame: Brain Maps Reveal Different Triggers
19 Dec
Summary
- Harm's impact on guilt is stronger, while responsibility fuels shame.
- Distinct brain regions process guilt and shame-driven actions.
- Guilt, more than shame, influences compensatory behavior decisions.
New research clarifies the differing psychological and neurological underpinnings of guilt and shame. The study indicates that the extent of harm inflicted upon another individual more heavily influences feelings of guilt. Conversely, an individual's perceived responsibility for causing that harm appears to be a stronger antecedent to feelings of shame. These distinct emotional responses are processed by different regions in the brain.
Behaviorally, the findings suggest that guilt has a more pronounced effect on driving compensatory actions compared to shame. This suggests that when people feel guilty, they are more motivated to make amends. The study employed a 'dots estimation game' utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to observe brain activity during decision-making related to compensation.
Analysis of fMRI scans revealed that guilt and shame-driven compensatory decisions recruit separate neural activities. Shame-driven choices, in particular, showed a stronger correlation with activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex, a brain area associated with cognitive control. The research contributes to understanding how harm and responsibility are processed and integrated, particularly in group settings.
