IngentaConnect An investigation of the relationship between anger and offence-re...

Authors: Wright, Kim¹; Gudjonsson, Gisli²; Young, Susan²

Source: Psychology, Crime and Law, Volume 14, Number 5, October 2008 , pp. 415-423(9)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

A number of accounts of shame and guilt emphasise an association between shame and anger difficulties, and it has been suggested that shame and rage may promote one another. The shame-anger relationship may be particularly relevant to the study of forensic populations, as the fact of having committed a criminal offence has the potential to be a highly shame-provoking experience. The current study investigates the prediction that shame and guilt reactions to an offence are differentially related to the propensity to experience and ability to control anger. A measure of offence-related shame and guilt and a measure of anger experience and control was completed by 60 men detained in forensic psychiatric units. The results supported the prediction that offence-related shame is associated with elevated levels of anger difficulties, whilst offence-related guilt is associated with ability to control anger. The findings of the current study are consistent with those of previous investigations of shame, guilt and anger. Specific implications for the understanding and prevention of violent offending are discussed.

Keywords: feelings of guilt and shame; offenders; anger

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/10683160701770369

Affiliations: 1: Mood Disorders Centre, University of Exeter, School of Psychology, Exeter, UK 2: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, London, Denmark Hill, UK

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An investigation of the relationship between anger and offence-related shame and guilt