The Purpose of Shame

Among the many functions of shame is to subdue individuals without their consent. In the modern world, shame is an important component of commerce. Moreover, shame is a powerful indicator of the status of the person involved. In addition, shame can be shared by other members of the community. For example, it may affect a person's social standing or the ability to get married.


One of the most important functions of shame is the way it modifies positive affects. For example, the excitement induced by chasing a dog may be reduced by chasing a rabbit. Likewise, the joy derived from watching a beautiful sunset may be tempered by a fear of being harmed by a lightning strike. In general, shame modifies affects in the name of survival.

The purpose of shame is not to be underestimated. However, it is not a panacea. Moreover, a person's ability to regulate and control it is often compromised by mental illness. For example, someone with a severe depressive disorder may have a difficult time demonstrating morality or respect for the norms of society.

There are many coping strategies to combat shame. Some of the most popular include sharing, taking a deep breath, and setting boundaries. Moreover, one may need to get a little help from friends and family to achieve these objectives.

Although many of these techniques were mentioned by participants, no clear-cut winners emerged. For example, there was no clear winner when it came to hiding a truth. There was some agreement that hiding a truth was a bad coping strategy, but the majority of participants were convinced that hiding a truth is a better option than not hiding it at all. There were also mixed results on whether hiding a truth is better than telling a lie.

While there are numerous coping strategies that can be applied to shame, the best approach is to recognize its underlying source and learn how to avoid or mitigate its harmful effects. For example, one may be able to prevent the worst effects of shame by not expressing it or acting on it, but this can only be done by recognizing its origins and seeking assistance. In addition, avoiding shame is often best accomplished by building a strong social support system.

The purest form of shame is akin to a social scourge, which is why it is so important to build a solid social support network. Moreover, shame is a powerful signal of awareness and respect for the social norms and rules of the community. This can lead to the group acting to repair or mitigate the consequences of a person's shameful behavior. Consequently, a person can learn to behave better by identifying and avoiding triggers and recognizing how shame can affect the wellbeing of others.


It is also important to know that shame is not a fixed trait, and one may not be born with it. Rather, shame is an affect that is dependent on the circumstances and relationships around the individual.