Shame closely tracks the threat of devaluation by others, even across cultures

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23360968
AutoresD Sznycer (0000-0002-6510-3313, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Center for Evolutionary Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, autor de correspondencia), John Tooby (0000-0002-2381-9778, Department of Anthropology, Center for Evolutionary Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3210), Leda Cosmides (0000-0002-1197-7824, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Center for Evolutionary Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660), Roni Porat (0000-0002-0665-4131, Reichman University), Shaul Shalvi (0000-0003-2225-7352, University of Amsterdam), Eran Halperin (0000-0002-3379-2935, Reichman University)
Año2016
Volumen113
Número10
Páginas2625-2630
Fecha de publicación2016-03-08
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0027-8424 • E-ISSN: 1091-6490
EditorialNational Academy of Sciences (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1073/pnas.1514699113
PMID26903649
OpenAlexW2283224842
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas70
Referencias citadas56

Significance Prominent theories of shame hold that shame is inherently maladaptive. However, direct tests of the fit between shame and its probable target domain have not previously been conducted. Here we test the alternative hypothesis that shame, although unpleasant (like pain), serves the adaptive function of defending against the social devaluation that results when negative information reaches others—by deterring actions that would lead to more devaluation than benefits, for example. If so, the intensity of shame people feel regarding a given item of negative information should track the devaluation that would happen if that item became known. Indeed, the data indicate a close match between shame intensities and audience devaluation, which suggests that shame is an adaptation.

Devaluation · Economics · Function (biology) · Monetary economics · Shame · Cultural Differences and Values · Emotions and Moral Behavior · Face Recognition and Perception · Psychology · Social Psychology