Shameless yet angry: shame and its relationship to anger in male young offenders and undergraduate controls

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore shame and its relationship to anger in male young offenders (n = 56) and male undergraduates of similar age (n = 60). It was hypothesised that there would be group differences in levels of shame, and that shame and anger would be differentially related in the two groups. Shame, anger, and the control variables depression and defensiveness were measured. Despite significantly higher levels of anger and depression, the young offenders displayed significantly lower levels of shame than the undergraduates. Furthermore, while there was a significant relationship between shame and anger in the undergraduates, this was not apparent in the offenders. Neither defensiveness nor depression could account for these differences. Possible explanations, including the social dynamics of inner-city youth subcultures, are drawn upon in considering why shame is low and uncorrelated with anger in young offenders. These can guide the future research necessary to identify the precise ways in which shame is experienced and regulated within this population. The implications of the findings, in particular for anger interventions, are discussed.

Keywords:

• shame
• anger
• emotions
• young offenders
• juvenile delinquency

Notes

1. The reasons for these values being particularly important in inner-city subculture may include the receding influence of law in addressing injustices, implicating the need to achieve protection oneself (Cohen et al., 1998) and the absence of sources of self-esteem required for other bases of self-worth (Anderson, 1999).