Understanding the Purpose of Shame

Shame is an emotion evolved to protect individuals from reputational damage by drawing attention to behaviors that could make them look bad in the eyes of others. However, the effectiveness of shame can be compromised when individuals feel ashamed about things that are not reputationally relevant. This discrepancy often stems from internalized parental voices in early childhood, shaping what individuals perceive as shameful. To address this, individuals can interrogate and challenge beliefs about what constitutes shameful behavior, distinguishing between inconsequential matters and those that truly impact reputation.