The Culture of Shame

by Andrew P. Morrison

In The Culture of Shame, Harvard psychiatrist Andrew P. Morrison argues that shame pervades our culture. From its early references in Biblical stories to the works of philosophers such as Nietzsche and Sartre and contemporary novelists Philip Roth and Toni Morrison, the experience of shame emerges as a theme of human experience. Yet, until recently, the psychology profession did not acknowledge the role of shame, focusing instead on guilt. Indeed, our modern culture, which emphasizes independence and personal responsibility, tends to view shame as the mark of an inferior or self-absorbing individual.
Shame, which Dr. Morrison defines as a feeling of intrinsic self-worthlessness, is now seen to underlie a range of psychological problems. With clarity and insight, Dr. Morrison traces the development of shame, from infancy through its more sophisticated forms, and explores the roots and expression of shame in our society. Shame gives rise to a wide array of disorders, including depression, addictions, and eating and sexual disorders, as well as emotional problems linked to trauma, gender, race, illness, old age, infertility, and gender. In our society, shame manifests itself through alienation, lack of motivation, and feelings of meaninglessness.
In The Culture of Shame, Dr. Morrison exposes the many masks of shame and examines the way shame paralyzes us, individually and culturally. He explains the language of shame and its painful consequences. Through powerful case studies, he illuminates the impact of shame on the lives of individuals and how shame can be overcome.
Serious, comprehensive, and authoritative, The Culture of Shame is destined to take its place as an important contribution to the literature of human nature.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

225 pages, Hardcover

First published April 9, 1996

Reviews

[eda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un livre qui interroge la place que l’on accorde à la honte, une émotion encore largement sous-estimée dans notre société, alors qu’elle peut profondément nous façonner lorsqu’elle est ignorée. L’ouvrage était assez éclairant pour son époque mais reste assez superficiel par rapport aux connaissances actuelles sur le sujet. Une bonne porte d’entrée pour découvrir le rôle de la honte dans nos vies mais qui mérite d’être complétée et approfondies.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Culture of Shame (Hardcover)
by Andrew P. Morrison


used hardback; some light writing in pencil in the text. $3.99