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> Nothing good comes from shame. While this may seem harsh at a surface level, are you really sure nothing good comes from shame? Is shame always an unhealthy

> Nothing good comes from shame. While this may seem harsh at a surface level, are you really sure nothing good comes from shame? Is shame always an unhealthy emotion to experience? It seems to me that it is effective in focusing attention on potential personal misjudgement or misbehavior, and can strengthen resolve to break bad habits or otherwise ensure a better outcome for oneself going forward.

danhak 6y ago
Yes, my experience with CBT very much leads me to believe that shame is a highly destructive emotion, more likely to cause someone to withdraw and disengage from life than to promote lasting positive change in behavior.
- zionic 6y ago
  This is far from universal. Many people simply lack any motivation to change when not confronted with shame.
- zepto 6y ago
  This is probably because you were shamed for things that were actually harmless. There is definitely a problem with the level to which shame is used indiscriminately to control people. But no emotion is inherently destructive. We should feel shame at certain things. If you tripped an old lady and didn’t feel shame, I’d say you were a psychopath, or if you simply threatened to kill anyone who you didn’t like. It’s also notable that absence of shame is characteristic of psychopathy, and even Buddhist psychology states that an absence of shame is an impediment to enlightenment. I completely support the idea that excessive or inappropriate shame is a major part of many if not most psychological disorders. Nothing supports the idea that all shame is destructive. On the topic of obesity, I do agree that shame is unlikely to help. In fact I suspect that shame is more likely to be part of the cause.
- londons_explore 6y ago
  Shame/guilt appears to exist in other species too - Many pet dogs for example will act very differently after it's just eaten something it knows it shouldn't have... For a behaviour trait to exist in species far from each other in the evolutionary tree suggests there is a real survival benefit to having it. Doesn't mean it is beneficial in all cases, or that it doesn't feel shit though!
cafard 6y ago
Early this year, I attended the funeral of a somebody from the office. She was overweight, and for many years avoided seeing a doctor because she was embarrassed to be so heavy. The bad news was delivered by a heart attack at age 60 or so.

danhak 6y ago

Yes, my experience with CBT very much leads me to believe that shame is a highly destructive emotion, more likely to cause someone to withdraw and disengage from life than to promote lasting positive change in behavior.

zionic 6y ago
This is far from universal. Many people simply lack any motivation to change when not confronted with shame.
zepto 6y ago
This is probably because you were shamed for things that were actually harmless. There is definitely a problem with the level to which shame is used indiscriminately to control people. But no emotion is inherently destructive. We should feel shame at certain things. If you tripped an old lady and didn’t feel shame, I’d say you were a psychopath, or if you simply threatened to kill anyone who you didn’t like. It’s also notable that absence of shame is characteristic of psychopathy, and even Buddhist psychology states that an absence of shame is an impediment to enlightenment. I completely support the idea that excessive or inappropriate shame is a major part of many if not most psychological disorders. Nothing supports the idea that all shame is destructive. On the topic of obesity, I do agree that shame is unlikely to help. In fact I suspect that shame is more likely to be part of the cause.
londons_explore 6y ago
Shame/guilt appears to exist in other species too - Many pet dogs for example will act very differently after it's just eaten something it knows it shouldn't have... For a behaviour trait to exist in species far from each other in the evolutionary tree suggests there is a real survival benefit to having it. Doesn't mean it is beneficial in all cases, or that it doesn't feel shit though!

cafard 6y ago

Early this year, I attended the funeral of a somebody from the office. She was overweight, and for many years avoided seeing a doctor because she was embarrassed to be so heavy. The bad news was delivered by a heart attack at age 60 or so.