Abstract
The recent study of complex emotions using visual storyboards by Bhushan et al. (2020) endorses that same scenario can induce guilt/remorse or guilt/shame in people based on valence. These findings were based on behavioral data and did not consider body physiology. The present study aimed to explore the difference in the thermal signature of scenarios that elicit guilt in some and shame/remorse in others. Using storyboard depicting 13 scenarios, we analyzed the thermal changes on the forehead, eyes (left and right separately), cheek (left and right separately), nose tip, and mouth regions of the face with the objective of exploring the thermal signature of guilt, shame, and remorse. Data were collected from 31 participants using a thermal camera in a laboratory setting. We found a difference of 0.5°C or above change in temperature on the forehead, left and right cheeks, and mouth regions during guilt experience compared to shame and remorse experiences. The temperature of the right and left cheeks was high for guilt as compared to remorse for two scenarios inducing guilt/remorse, and the difference was statistically significant. For one of the scenarios inducing guilt/shame, thermal change in the right eye region was higher for shame as compared to guilt. The findings are discussed in light of the distribution of blood vessels on the face.
Highlights
Behavioral studies of emotion have largely centered around basic emotions, empirical study of complex emotions, such as guilt, shame, and remorse have attracted attention of some researchers
The recent study by Bhushan et al (2020) empirically examined the similarity/dissimilarity among guilt, shame, and remorse. They found that the same scenario induced guilt, shame, or remorse depending on the valence; scenarios with positive factor load resulted into guilt response, whereas those with negative factor load gave rise to shame or remorse
Of all the five scenarios inducing guilt/remorse, the cheek region of the face showed significant difference ◦C◦C ◦C the temperature of the cheek recorded in those reporting guilt and remorse for two scenarios (4 and 33)
Summary
Behavioral studies of emotion have largely centered around basic emotions, empirical study of complex emotions, such as guilt, shame, and remorse have attracted attention of some researchers. Emotions soaring out of transgression of cultural ideologies comprise shame/selfcondemnation, guilt/remorse, and regret (Fisher and Exline, 2010). Fisher and Exline (2010) have referred to self-condemnation as “an offence-specific version of shame” and remorse as “an offence-specific version of guilt.”. The recent study by Bhushan et al (2020) empirically examined the similarity/dissimilarity among guilt, shame, and remorse. They found that the same scenario induced guilt, shame, or remorse depending on the valence; scenarios with positive factor load resulted into guilt response, whereas those with negative factor load gave rise to shame or remorse. The sign of factor load implies the way the items relate to the
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