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guilt

·December 19, 2025·7 min read

Guilt and Shame Shape Behavior Through Separate Brain Pathways

uilt and shame arise from different cognitive triggers and rely on distinct neural systems to guide compensatory behavior. Using a controlled game that manipulated both harm and responsibility, researchers showed that guilt is more strongly driven by the severity of harm caused, while shame is more strongly shaped by how responsible someone feels for that harm. Guilt also more reliably translated into financial compensation, whereas shame required greater cognitive control to influence behavior.

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·January 17, 2025·6 min read

Do Accents Influence Guilt Perceptions?

Accents influence perceptions of guilt, with those judged as "lower status" being considered more likely to commit crimes. Researchers analyzed responses from 180 participants who rated voices from 10 UK accents on social traits and likelihood of certain behaviors, including crimes.

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·November 7, 2023·4 min read

Guilt Trips: A Fine Line in Persuasion Tactics

Guilt, often harnessed in persuasive communications, has been scrutinized in a meta-analysis revealing its nuanced impact on behavior change. Researchers found that guilt appeals are more effective when they evoke a general societal responsibility rather than direct blame.

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·May 22, 2023·3 min read

Guilt-Prone Personalities: A Bulwark Against Bribery?

Guilt-prone individuals have been identified as less likely to accept bribes, particularly if it results in harm to others. A new study explored the connection between personality traits and corruption tendencies.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 12, 2023·4 min read

Placebo Reduces Feelings of Guilt

Placebos can help reduce feelings of guilt, even when the placebo is given openly, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 9, 2019·6 min read

When working with animals can hurt your mental health

Veterinarians and those who work in animal shelters report depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts as a result of their stressors associated with their jobs.

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·October 29, 2018·5 min read

Severity of Crime Increases Jury’s Belief in Guilt

A new study reports the more serious the crime, the more likely jurors are likely to believe a person is guilty, regardless of the amount of evidence.

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·September 28, 2018·2 min read

The Reason You Can’t Keep a Secret

Researchers investigate why it is so hard for us to retain information given to us in confidence.

Featured Psychology

·July 20, 2018·3 min read

Prone to Feeling Guilty? You’re Probably More Trustworthy

According to researchers, a person's tendency to anticipate feeling guilty is the strongest predictor of their trustworthiness.

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·May 3, 2018·3 min read

Understanding Fear of Guilt Key in Better Treating OCD

Researchers report the fear of guilt can evoke doubt when making decisions. The findings could help develop new treatments for those suffering from OCD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 20, 2017·5 min read

Probing How Americans Think About Mental Life

A new study explores how Americans think about, and categorize, mental life. Most, they report, break 'mental life' into three components, body, heart and mind.