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Journal ArticleDOI

Immunological effects of induced shame and guilt.

01 Jan 2004-Psychosomatic Medicine (Psychosom Med)-Vol. 66, Iss: 1, pp 124-131
TL;DR: It is suggested that inducing self-related emotions can cause changes in inflammatory products, and that shame may have specific immunological correlates.
Abstract: Objective To determine if inducing self-blame would lead to increases in shame and guilt as well as increases in proinflammatory cytokine activity and cortisol. Based on previous research and theory, it was hypothesized that induced shame would be specifically associated with elevations in proinflammatory cytokine activity. Materials and methods Healthy participants were randomly assigned to write about traumatic experiences in which they blamed themselves (N = 31) or neutral experiences (N = 18) during three 20-minute experimental laboratory sessions over 1 week. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor levels (sTNFalphaRII), an indicator of proinflammatory cytokine activity, beta2-microglobulin, cortisol (all obtained from oral fluids), and emotion were assessed prewriting and postwriting. Results Participants in the self-blame condition showed an increase in shame and guilt as well as an increase in sTNFalphaRII activity when compared with those in the control condition. Cortisol and beta2-microglobulin levels were unaffected by the procedures. Those individuals in the self-blame condition reporting the greatest increases in shame in response to the task showed the greatest elevations in proinflammatory cytokine activity, while levels of guilt and general negative emotion were unrelated to cytokine changes. Conclusion These data suggest that inducing self-related emotions can cause changes in inflammatory products, and that shame may have specific immunological correlates.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Motivated performance tasks elicited cortisol responses if they were uncontrollable or characterized by social-evaluative threat (task performance could be negatively judged by others), when methodological factors and other stressor characteristics were controlled for.
Abstract: This meta-analysis reviews 208 laboratory studies of acute psychological stressors and tests a theoretical model delineating conditions capable of eliciting cortisol responses. Psychological stressors increased cortisol levels; however, effects varied widely across tasks. Consistent with the theoretical model, motivated performance tasks elicited cortisol responses if they were uncontrollable or characterized by social-evaluative threat (task performance could be negatively judged by others), when methodological factors and other stressor characteristics were controlled for. Tasks containing both uncontrollable and social-evaluative elements were associated with the largest cortisol and adrenocorticotropin hormone changes and the longest times to recovery. These findings are consistent with the animal literature on the physiological effects of uncontrollable social threat and contradict the belief that cortisol is responsive to all types of stressors.

5,028 citations


Cites background from "Immunological effects of induced sh..."

  • ...Consistent with this premise, selfreports of shame or nonverbal shame behaviors have correlated with alterations in certain immunological and neuroendocrine parameters (Dickerson et al., 2004; M. Lewis & Ramsay, 2002; Weitzman, Kemeny, & Fahey, 2004)....

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  • ...We have shown that revealing negative aspects of the self in an anonymous and confidential setting does not elevate cortisol levels (Dickerson et al., 2004), suggesting that at least the potential for critique may be necessary to elicit a cortisol response....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This chapter reviews current theory and research on moral emotions and focuses on a triad of negatively valenced "self-conscious" emotions-shame, guilt, and embarrassment.
Abstract: Moral emotions represent a key element of our human moral apparatus, influencing the link between moral standards and moral behavior This chapter reviews current theory and research on moral emotions We first focus on a triad of negatively valenced “self-conscious” emotions—shame, guilt, and embarrassment As in previous decades, much research remains focused on shame and guilt We review current thinking on the distinction between shame and guilt, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of these two moral emotions Several new areas of research are highlighted: research on the domain-specific phenomenon of body shame, styles of coping with shame, psychobiological aspects of shame, the link between childhood abuse and later proneness to shame, and the phenomena of vicarious or “collective” experiences of shame and guilt In recent years, the concept of moral emotions has been expanded to include several positive emotions—elevation, gratitude, and the sometimes morally relevant experience o

2,141 citations


Cites background from "Immunological effects of induced sh..."

  • ...Considering these patterns of immunoresponse in toto, Dickerson et al. (2004a) note, “. . .shame may be experienced particularly in conditions characterized by negative social evaluation and rejection....

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  • ...…correlates of shame Researchers have recently begun to evaluate psychobiological markers of shame, examining biological responses to laboratory manipulations designed to threaten the social self (Dickerson et al. 2004b, Gruenewald et al. 2004; see Dickerson et al. 2004a for a review)....

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  • ...Physiological research has linked the shame experience with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokine and cortisol (Dickerson et al. 2004a), which can trigger postural signs of deference and selfconcealment (see New Directions in Research on Shame and Guilt: Physiological Correlates of Shame)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A biologically plausible, multilevel theory is proposed that describes neural, physiologic, molecular, and genomic mechanisms that link experiences of social-environmental stress with internal biological processes that drive depression pathogenesis and may shed light on several important questions including how depression develops, why it frequently recurs, and why it is strongly predicted by early life stress.
Abstract: Major life stressors, especially those involving interpersonal stress and social rejection, are among the strongest proximal risk factors for depression. In this review, we propose a biologically plausible, multilevel theory that describes neural, physiologic, molecular, and genomic mechanisms that link experiences of social-environmental stress with internal biological processes that drive depression pathogenesis. Central to this social signal transduction theory of depression is the hypothesis that experiences of social threat and adversity up-regulate components of the immune system involved in inflammation. The key mediators of this response, called proinflammatory cytokines, can in turn elicit profound changes in behavior, which include the initiation of depressive symptoms such as sad mood, anhedonia, fatigue, psychomotor retardation, and social-behavioral withdrawal. This highly conserved biological response to adversity is critical for survival during times of actual physical threat or injury. However, this response can also be activated by modern-day social, symbolic, or imagined threats, leading to an increasingly proinflammatory phenotype that may be a key phenomenon driving depression pathogenesis and recurrence, as well as the overlap of depression with several somatic conditions including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and neurodegeneration. Insights from this theory may thus shed light on several important questions including how depression develops, why it frequently recurs, why it is strongly predicted by early life stress, and why it often co-occurs with symptoms of anxiety and with certain physical disease conditions. This work may also suggest new opportunities for preventing and treating depression by targeting inflammation.

1,361 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results of random effects analyses indicate that experimental disclosure is effective, with a positive and significant average r-effect size of .075, and a number of moderators were identified.
Abstract: Disclosing information, thoughts, and feelings about personal and meaningful topics (experimental disclosure) is purported to have various health and psychological consequences (e.g., J. W. Pennebaker, 1993). Although the results of 2 small meta-analyses (P. G. Frisina, J. C. Borod, & S. J. Lepore, 2004; J. M. Smyth, 1998) suggest that experimental disclosure has a positive and significant effect, both used a fixed effects approach, limiting generalizability. Also, a plethora of studies on experimental disclosure have been completed that were not included in the previous analyses. One hundred forty-six randomized studies of experimental disclosure were collected and included in the present meta-analysis. Results of random effects analyses indicate that experimental disclosure is effective, with a positive and significant average r-effect size of .075. In addition, a number of moderators were identified.

1,279 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The origins of coping resources and processes in genes, early life experience, and gene-environment interactions are addressed, and neural underpinnings of coping are addressed that may shed light on evaluating coping interventions.
Abstract: Coping, defined as action-oriented and intrapsychic efforts to manage the demands created by stressful events, is coming to be recognized both for its significant impact on stress-related mental and physical health outcomes and for its intervention potential. We review coping resources that aid in this process, including individual differences in optimism, mastery, self-esteem, and social support, and examine appraisal and coping processes, especially those marked by approach or avoidance. We address the origins of coping resources and processes in genes, early life experience, and gene-environment interactions, and address neural underpinnings of coping that may shed light on evaluating coping interventions. We conclude by outlining possible intervention strategies for improving coping processes.

1,129 citations


Cites background from "Immunological effects of induced sh..."

  • ...In an experimental laboratory investigation, Dickerson et al. (2004) found that a manipulation designed to induce social threat led to an increase in sTNFαRII activity, suggesting that social emotions (in this case, shame and guilt) may be associated with elevations in proinflammatory cytokine…...

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  • ...Stress inductions have also been associated with changes in proinflammatory cytokine activity (e.g., Dickerson et al. 2004), effects that may be driven, in part, by autonomic and HPA axis activity....

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  • ...All rights reserved 1548-5943/07/0427-0377$20.00 377...

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References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This assay is very reproducible and rapid with the dye binding process virtually complete in approximately 2 min with good color stability for 1 hr with little or no interference from cations such as sodium or potassium nor from carbohydrates such as sucrose.

225,085 citations


"Immunological effects of induced sh..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...The interassay and intraassay coefficients of variation were less than or equal to 5%. Protein in oral fluids was quantified by the Bradford method ( 33 ) using the Bio-Rad protein assay kit with bovine plasma albumin as the standard....

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Book
01 Jan 1974
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a detailed theory of psychological stress, building on the concepts of cognitive appraisal and coping, which have become major themes of theory and investigation in psychology.
Abstract: Here is a monumental work that continues in the tradition pioneered by co-author Richard Lazarus in his classic book Psychological Stress and the Coping Process. Dr. Lazarus and his collaborator, Dr. Susan Folkman, present here a detailed theory of psychological stress, building on the concepts of cognitive appraisal and coping which have become major themes of theory and investigation. As an integrative theoretical analysis, this volume pulls together two decades of research and thought on issues in behavioral medicine, emotion, stress management, treatment, and life span development. A selective review of the most pertinent literature is included in each chapter. The total reference listing for the book extends to 60 pages. This work is necessarily multidisciplinary, reflecting the many dimensions of stress-related problems and their situation within a complex social context. While the emphasis is on psychological aspects of stress, the book is oriented towards professionals in various disciplines, as well as advanced students and educated laypersons. The intended audience ranges from psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, nurses, and social workers to sociologists, anthropologists, medical researchers, and physiologists.

37,447 citations


"Immunological effects of induced sh..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Appraisal and emotional processes are thought to play a key role in determining biological responses to stressful conditions (39)....

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Book
04 Dec 1979
TL;DR: Hollon and Shaw as discussed by the authors discuss the role of emotions in Cognitive Therapy and discuss the integration of homework into Cognitive Therapy, and discuss problems related to Termination and Relapse.
Abstract: 1. An Overview 2. The Role of Emotions in Cognitive Therapy 3. The Therapeutic Relationship: Application to Cognitive Therapy 4. Structure of the Therapeutic Interview 5. The Initial Interview 6. Session by Session Treatment: A Typical Course of Therapy 7. Application of Behavioral Techniques 8. Cognitive Techniques 9. Focus on Target Symptoms 10. Specific Techniques for the Suicidal Patient 11. Interview with a Depressed Suicidal Patient 12. Depressogenic Assumptions 13. Integration of Homework into Therapy 14. Technical Problems 15. Problems Related to Termination and Relapse 16. Group Cognitive Therapy for Depressed Patients Steven D. Hollon and Brian F. Shaw 17. Cognitive Therapy and Antidepressant Medications 18. Outcome Studies of Cognitive Therapy Appendix: Materials *The Beck Inventory *Scale for Suicide Ideation *Daily Record of Dysfunctional Thoughts *Competency Checklist for Cognitive Therapists *Possible Reasons for Not Doing Self-Help Assignments *Research Protocol for Outcome Study at Center for Cognitive Therapy *Further Materials and Technical Aids

9,970 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this chapter a theory of motivation and emotion developed from an attributional perspective is presented, suggesting that causal attributions have been prevalent throughout history and in disparate cultures and some attributions dominate causal thinking.
Abstract: In this chapter a theory of motivation and emotion developed from an attributional perspective is presented Before undertaking this central task, it might be beneficial to review the progression of the book In Chapter 1 it was suggested that causal attributions have been prevalent throughout history and in disparate cultures Studies reviewed in Chapter 2 revealed a large number of causal ascriptions within motivational domains, and different ascriptions in disparate domains Yet some attributions, particularly ability and effort in the achievement area, dominate causal thinking To compare and contrast causes such as ability and effort, their common denominators or shared properties were identified Three causal dimensions, examined in Chapter 3, are locus, stability, and controllability, with intentionality and globality as other possible causal properties As documented in Chapter 4, the perceived stability of a cause influences the subjective probability of success following a previous success or failure; causes perceived as enduring increase the certainty that the prior outcome will be repeated in the future And all the causal dimensions, as well as the outcome of an activity and specific causes, influence the emotions experienced after attainment or nonattainment of a goal The affects linked to causal dimensions include pride (with locus), hopelessness and resignation (with stability), and anger, gratitude, guilt, pity, and shame (with controllability)

6,982 citations


"Immunological effects of induced sh..." refers background in this paper

  • ...However, consistent with the literature specifically tying shame and guilt to self-blame (5, 6), the self-related emotions were differentially activated by the procedures....

    [...]

  • ...We argue that shame is in this category (38), based on evidence that it is elicited in situations experienced as uncontrollable and reflecting shortcomings within the self (4, 5), and its experiential and behavioral components are consistent with disengagement and/or withdrawal (eg, wanting to hide, disappear, avoid interpersonal interaction; displays of submission/ appeasement) (3, 4, 8)....

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  • ...In healthy students undergoing examination stress, those who reported greater increases in feelings of uncontrollability (as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale) showed the largest increases in TNF- activity (18), and attributions of uncontrollability have been associated with shame (5)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Motivated performance tasks elicited cortisol responses if they were uncontrollable or characterized by social-evaluative threat (task performance could be negatively judged by others), when methodological factors and other stressor characteristics were controlled for.
Abstract: This meta-analysis reviews 208 laboratory studies of acute psychological stressors and tests a theoretical model delineating conditions capable of eliciting cortisol responses. Psychological stressors increased cortisol levels; however, effects varied widely across tasks. Consistent with the theoretical model, motivated performance tasks elicited cortisol responses if they were uncontrollable or characterized by social-evaluative threat (task performance could be negatively judged by others), when methodological factors and other stressor characteristics were controlled for. Tasks containing both uncontrollable and social-evaluative elements were associated with the largest cortisol and adrenocorticotropin hormone changes and the longest times to recovery. These findings are consistent with the animal literature on the physiological effects of uncontrollable social threat and contradict the belief that cortisol is responsive to all types of stressors.

5,028 citations


"Immunological effects of induced sh..." refers background or methods in this paper

  • ...This rest period was used to capture cortisol activity during the emotion induction, because it takes approximately 30 minutes after the onset of a stressor to produce maximal elevations in cortisol levels ( 26 )....

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  • ...We also assessed cortisol because cytokines can stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis (HPA) (14), and cortisol levels have been shown to increase in affective disorders (eg, depression) and in response to certain threatening situations ( 26 , 27)....

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  • ...While it is possible that methodological factors precluded detecting increases in cortisol levels, the study was conducted in the late afternoon and cortisol was assessed 30 minutes from stress onset to maximize the chances of capturing a cortisol response ( 26 )....

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  • ...All sessions took place between 4:00 and 7:00 PM to control for diurnal variations in neuroendocrine parameters and because afternoon sessions have been associated with greater cortisol responses ( 26 )....

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  • ...Instead, cortisol increases were most likely to occur when two conditions were present: a task that is likely to elicit negative appraisals of the self (eg, making a speech) and an evaluative audience ( 26 )....

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