The Impact of Shame on Behavioral Change

Shame serves as a powerful motivational tool that can inspire corrective actions when individuals face negative social circumstances. The discussion highlights how, traditionally, interactions with peers—especially in school environments—trigger feelings of shame that compel individuals to improve themselves. In contemporary society, however, people often evade these shame-inducing situations through means such as online interactions or substance use, which diminishes the effectiveness of shame as a motivator. This shift leads to an increase in avoidance behavior, preventing individuals from confronting and correcting their mistakes, thus perpetuating a cycle of shame without resolution.