Shame is emotionally motivated, while guilt is based on facts. Similar as the contrast between a judgment and a decision.

That's why you can be guilty of some act, but not feel any shame for doing the deed. Someone very close to me has this complex right now. Guilty of numerous offenses, even against her own common sense. But feels, or rather...expresses no remorse or shame, and is not apologetic.

I think both emotions are about feeling bad when you know you did something wrong, but shame is feeling bad about the consequences to yourself, while guilt is feeling bad about the consequences to someone else. That's my opinion anywayz.

I agree, I was going to say the same thing.

Shame is when you are embarrassed over something you did. Shame really needs outsiders to be aware of what you did, and you feel shame that they know and judge you for it. You cant really be ashamed of something if no one knows about it. THAT is guilt. You can expect to feel shame once they find out.


Guilt needs no others, just yourself, you feel bad for something you are responsible for and probably hurt someone. Ussually you feel simpathetic to those you ́ve hurt or damaged and you feel bad that u did it.

Basically shame is when ppl know of your guilt and you are embarased about it.

Shame is external, Guilt is internal... usually.

"Shame, shame, everybody knows your name." Shame is brought on by others. Guilt is a more personal feeling.



Ka-Tra

Sorry to bump this, but I was recently given the proper meanings after questioning a professional about the distinction.


Shame is a draining, wallowing emotion. Like wallowing in dispair or self pity, you're stuck in a rut.

Guilt is an energising emotion, it motivates you to change.


Kinda late, but at least we have the right answer.



Ka-Tra

You can feel ashamed for something that happened without your control or your participation.

You can feel guilty for something you committed, or feel guilty for something someone else committed because you are attached to that person, you are in the same social group etc.

You cannot feel guilty if you are humiliated if you know absolutely for sure you did not warrant such humiliation. Discounting chronic or manic depression or pathological problems what make you feel the lowest of the low.

You only feel shame if you get caught!

Guilt you feel all the time, even when you haven't got caught

That's how it works for me.

The previous posts described these terms quite well already but couldn't you feel shame alone as well? E.g. a boy fills up an Internet test, falling to its joke and blushes. Would it be subconscious shame or something?

I was going to say was I that drunk that I bumped my own thread? LOL

That would have been ashaming. I'm glad that you're not guilty though.

Guilt is "I've done something wrong" where Shame is "I am wrong". Shame is more reflective of damaged self-worth/self-concept whereas Guilt relates more to external actions.