Guilt, Conscience, and Morality

Abstract

Perhaps all of the emotions play some part, directly or indirectly, in the development of conscience and morality. Fear, anger, and shame are likely to emerge if harsh physical punishment is used in teaching right-wrong discriminations. Excitement and joy in caring for and helping others, especially when no reciprocation can be expected, may characterize the mature conscience and the highest form of moral behavior. Nevertheless, guilt is the emotion most essential to the development of the affectivecognitive structures of conscience and the affective-cognitive-action patterns of moral behavior.