The Science of Shame
<p>Systemic racism isn’t anything new, but many white people are newly grappling with their complicity in white supremacy — which can lead to some complicated emotions. While a healthy dose of guilt over the collective role in anti-Black racism can motivate people to listen, learn, and do better, experts say wallowing in shame could accomplish the opposite.</p>
<p>Both guilt and shame stem from a perceived sense of wrongdoing, but understanding the difference can affect your ability to disengage from damaging behaviors. <a href="https://themonkeytherapist.com/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Jena Field</a>, a London-based psychologist, says guilt is focused on a behavior — that’s why researchers call guilt a “<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-11309-001" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">moral and adaptive emotion</a> ”— while shame is focused on the wrongdoer’s identity.</p>
<p><a href="https://elemental.medium.com/the-science-of-shame-e1cb32f6f2a"><strong>Read More</strong></a></p>