Guilt is deeply unpleasant because it threatens one’s self-image as good

Evidence

People do not enjoy feeling guilty. Personal guilt is associated with a “sinking feeling” (Roseman et al., 1994), mainly because it is uncomfortable to focus on oneself as personally responsible for an immoral act (Baumeister, Stillwell, & Heatherton, 1994). Indeed, personal guilt is experienced as an extreme dysphoria, as accepting responsibility for a transgression threatens one’s self-image as a good person (Tangney & Fischer, 1995). — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 1815

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The ingroup’s own suffering suppresses guilt even when it sees itself as responsible — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 2145; Guilt requires perceived control while shame arises from uncontrollable exposure — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 219; Guilt is presumed to motivate people to control their prejudiced responses — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 2108 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Guilt is presumed to motivate people to control their prejudiced responses #expands (0.75) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2108