One of the most commonly reported emotions in people seeking
psychotherapy is shame, and this emotion has become the subject of
intense research and theory over the last 20 years. In ^IShame:
Interpersonal Behavior, Psychopathology, and Culture^R, Paul Gilbert
and Bernice Andrews, together with some of the most eminent figures in
the field, examine the effect of shame on social behavior, social
values, and mental states. The text utilizes a multidisciplinary
approach, including perspectives from evolutionary and clinical
psychology, neurobiology, sociology, and anthropology. ^L
In Part I, the authors cover some of the core issues and current
controversies concerning shame. Part II explores the role of shame on
the development of the infant brain, its evolution, and the
relationship between shame as a personal and interpersonal construct
and stigma. Part III examines the connection between shame and
psychopathology. Here, authors are concerned with outlining how shame
can significantly influence the formation, manifestation, and
treatment of psychopathology. Finally, Part IV discusses the notion
that shame is not only related to internal experiences but also
conveys socially shared information about one's status and standing in
the community. ^L
^IShame^R will be essential reading for clinicians, clinical
researchers, and social psychologists. With a focus on shame in the
context of social behavior, the book will also appeal to a wide range
of researchers in the fields of sociology, anthropology, and
evolutionary psychology.