Effects of work‐related norm violations and general beliefs about the world on feelings of shame and guilt: A comparison between Turkey and the Netherlands

Abstract

This paper aimed at investigating the effects of work-related norm violations (i.e., violations of interpersonal and work regulation norms) and individuals' general beliefs about the world (i.e., social axioms: reward for application, social cynicism) on feelings of shame and guilt in Turkey and in the Netherlands. An experimental study involving 103 Turkish and 111 Dutch participants showed that work norm violations elicited feelings of guilt and shame differently in Turkey and the Netherlands. Specifically, interpersonal norm violation in Turkey elicited feelings of shame and guilt more strongly than did violation of a work regulation norm, whereas no differential effects were found in the Netherlands. As expected, violation of a work regulation norm elicited feelings of shame and guilt more strongly in the Netherlands than in Turkey, whereas violation of an interpersonal norm elicited feelings of shame and guilt more strongly in Turkey than in the Netherlands. The findings provide further evidence for the moderating effects of social axioms: in both countries, participants high in social cynicism felt less ashamed when they violated a work regulation norm than did those low in social cynicism. Our findings are relevant for understanding the underlying mechanisms of norm violations at work, thereby offering a new avenue for investigating cultural differences in the workplace. The latter may be of particular relevance in times of globalization and diversity in the workplace.

Investigating the role of discrete emotions in silence versus speaking up

“…Indeed, studies have found clear associations between discrete emotions and distinct consequences (Barclay, Skarlicki, & Pugh, 2005;Hu & Kaplan, 2015). For example, pride ensues from the receipt of recognition (Tracy & Robins, 2004), embarrassment results from making mistakes (Basch & Fisher, 2000), guilt and shame are associated with norm violation (Ersoy, Born, Derous, & van der Molen, 2011), and both anger and happiness differentially influence negotiation outcomes (van Kleef, De Dreu, & Manstead, 2004).…”

Shame and Guilt: Relationships of Test of Self-Conscious Affect Measures With Psychological Adjustment and Gender Differences in Iran

“…They marshal conceptual arguments and previous empirical findings based upon shame and guilt scales sometimes other than the TOSCA to support their claim. Indeed, numerous investigations have employed such other measures in examining samples from various Middle Eastern communities, including those, for example, from Egypt (Johnson et al, 1989), Turkey (Ersoy, Born, Derous, & van der Molen, 2011), Lebanon (Bierbrauer, 1992), and Iran (Tamini, Bojhd, & Yazdani, 2011). Dost and Yagmurlu most importantly interpret this literature to suggest that guilt can have negative mental health implications even when statistical procedures control for its covariance with greater shame.…”

Migration and Transcultural Aspect of Sexual Abuse of Children and Adolescents

“…For this reason, the thoughts and deeds of an individual are always linked to the question of the significance and consequences this can entail for his or her community [33]. The culture is characterized by this group orientation and, as a consequence, so is relationships, the interaction with others, the shaping of conflict and psychological processing mechanisms.…”

“…The event or occurrence itself induces feelings of guilt, regardless of the nature of the relationship between the perpetrator and victim. An admission of guilt and, where possible, redress may ensue as compensation for perceived guilt [33].…”

“…Shame cultures regard a possible individual transgression of prescribed standards as an affront to the community [33][34][35].…”