On Guilt

The Human Condition30 May, 2023Health

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines guilt as a ?self-conscious emotion? denoted by a ?painful appraisal of having done (or thought) something that is wrong.?1 It also notes that such emotion can inspire people to reverse or compensate for perceived wrongdoing. The APA distinguishes guilt from shame by underscoring that guilt also includes fear that a mistake will be judged by others.1 People feel guilt to varying degrees in response to real, exaggerated, or imagined wrongdoings.