The Culture of ShameIn 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 importantcontribution to the literature of human nature. |
Contents
The Veils of Shame | 3 |
The Language of Shame | 22 |
Close and Distant Kin | 40 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
able abuse acceptance achieve active alleviating anger approaches attempt attention awareness become began begin behavior believe body called cause chapter child childhood close conceal concern considered conviction course critical culture deep defective depression described despair early ease efforts emotion example expectations experience experienced explore expressed eyes failed failure father fear feelings feelings of shame felt frequently friends goals guilt ideals important individual inferiority interest internal Joseph judgments lack lead learned less lives look means memories ment mother ourselves painful parents particular patient physical play present Press problem Psychoanalytic psychotherapy qualities reflect relation relationship response result role secrets seemed seen sense sensitivity serve sexual shame social society suicide talked tend therapeutic therapist therapy tion treatment trying unworthiness voice vulnerable weakness woman women wrong York young
References to this book
Where Are the Girls?: Girls in Fighting Forces in Northern Uganda, Sierre ... Susan McKay,Dyan E. Mazurana No preview available - 2004 |
Jealousy and Envy: New Views about Two Powerful Feelings Leon Wurmser,Heidrun Jarass No preview available - 2007 |