High School

The feeling of responsibility and remorse for perceived wrong-doing by the self is called:

A) Shame
B) Humiliation
C) Guilt
D) Embarrassment

Answer :

The feeling of responsibility and remorse for perceived wrong-doing by the self is called C) guilt.

Unlike shame, which is focused on outward appearance and behavior irrespective of motive, guilt is a feeling of remorse for doing something wrong or not having done something that one should have done. Guilt can be a healthy emotion because it involves recognizing that one's actions or inactions have fallen short of one's own moral standards, leading to self-reflection and the desire to make amends or change one's behavior.

While shame can be viewed as an emotion that represents a state of powerlessness and rejection, often regulated by social status, guilt is more about the personal realization of having deviated from one's core role structure or moral ideals.

Cultures that prioritize social harmony often place greater emphasis on shame to regulate behavior, whereas guilt is associated with the internal experience of having transgressed one's personal conscience or values. Understanding these social emotions is crucial as they play a significant role in psychological development and can have a profound impact on a person's sense of self-worth and behavior.