How Do Personality Traits Effect Shame and Guilt?: An Evaluation of the Turkish Culture

Year 2014, , 113 - 132, 29.07.2015

Seval Erden , Müge Akbağ

https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2015.58.4

Abstract

roblem Statement: Feelings of shame and guilt as negative social emotions have a deep and continuous impact throughout our lives, particularly on our behaviors in both intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. It was widely accepted that these feelings originate from a person's early period of life's interpersonal experiences in the family and other key relationships. According to literature, shame and guilt are also related to personality traits; however, research findings were not consistent with each other. At this point, owing to the possible effect of the culture on shame and guilt, it can be considered that the relationship between these emotions and personality needs to be investigated in the cultural context. 

Purpose of the Study: The aim of the present study is to investigate the predictive power of the Big Five Model's personality traits on shame and guilt in Turkish culture.

Methods: The study was designed according to the Relational Survey Model. The sample of the study consisted of 360 (F= 183, M=177) students who studied in several faculties and departments of a city university located in the western part of Turkey. The participants’ age ranged between 17–30 years (M=21.35, SD= 1.64). The Shame-Guilt Scale and Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO FFI) were used as measurements.

Findings and Results: Results showed that shame and guilt were predicted

Keywords

Shame, guilt, Big Five personality traits, personality development, Turkish culture

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