The effect of shame on prosocial behavior tendency toward a stranger

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine the effect of different types of shame on prosocial behavior tendency to different help-seekers. Methods: A total of 120 participants were randomly assigned to a neutral mood condition, a public shame or a private shame condition. Results: All participants rated their willingness to help a benefactor and a stranger in an everyday helping situation and a money-donating situation after emotion-induction. The study found a higher willingness of participants in the public shame group to help strangers than those in neutral mood and private shame groups. Conclusion: These findings support a facilitation effect of public shame on prosocial behavior tendency toward strangers, indicating an effect of restoring motive of shame on social interaction. The results are further discussed in light of the functionalism of shame.