The Value of Shame

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

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2. An Introduction to the Value of Shame—Exploring a Health Resource in Cultural Contexts

   • Elisabeth Vanderheiden, Claude-Hélène Mayer

   Pages 1-39

3. Theoretical Perspectives on Shame and Culture

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 41-41

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   2. Shame! A System Psychodynamic Perspective

      • Michelle May

      Pages 43-59

   3. Shame as a Functional and Adaptive Emotion: A Biopsychosocial Perspective

      • Markus van Alphen

      Pages 61-86

   4. The Positive Function of Shame: Moral and Spiritual Perspectives

      • Thomas Ryan

      Pages 87-105

4. Culture-Specific Perspectives on Shame

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 107-107

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   2. lajjA in Indian Psychology: Spiritual, Social, and Literary Perspectives

      • Dharm P. S. Bhawuk

      Pages 109-134

   3. “Dream on—There is no Salvation!”: Transforming Shame in the South African Workplace Through Personal and Organisational Strategies

      • Claude-Hélène Mayer, Louise Tonelli

      Pages 135-156

   4. Canada/North America: Shame Between Indigenous Nature-Connectedness, Colonialism and Cultural Disconnection

      • Barbara Buch

      Pages 157-185

   5. Indigenous Australians: Shame and Respect

      • Sharon Louth

      Pages 187-200

   6. Shame and Resilience: A New Zealand Based Exploration of Resilient Responses to Shame

      • Samantha Brennan, Neville Robertson, Cate Curtis

      Pages 201-221

   7. From Shame to Guilt: The Remediation of Bullying Across Cultures and the US

      • Rebecca S. Merkin

      Pages 223-248

5. The Application of Shame and Culture in Therapeutic and Counseling Practices

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 249-249

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   2. Shame and Psychotherapy: Theory, Method and Practice

      • Mrigaya Sinha

      Pages 251-275

   3. Shame—“A Soul Feeding Emotion”: Archetypal Work and the Transformation of the Shadow of Shame in a Group Development Process

      • Claude-Hélène Mayer

      Pages 277-302

This volume combines empirical research-based and theoretical perspectives on shame in cultural contexts and from socio-culturally different perspectives, providing new insights and a more comprehensive cultural base for contemporary research and practice in the context of shame. It examines shame from a positive psychology perspective, from the angle of defining the concept as a psychological and cultural construct, and with regard to practical perspectives on shame across cultures. 
 
The volume provides sound foundations for researchers and practitioners to develop new models, therapies and counseling practices to redefine and re-frame shame in a way that leads to strength, resilience and empowerment of the individual.

• Shame across Cultures
• Shame from a Positive Psychology Perspective
• Cultural Issues in Positive Psychology
• Concepts of Shame
• Shame and Counselling
• Health, Well-Being and Shame
• Resilience, Culture and Shame
• Shame and Psychotherapy
• Shame and Guilt as Cultural Constructs
• Shame and Emotion

“This book makes an extraordinary contribution to social sciences as it highlights the positive side of shame as a health resource; therefore, it is highly recommended to educators at all levels, interculturalists, sociologists, those who work with refugees and migration, as well as psychologists and psychiatrists.” (Kiyoko Sueda, Journal of Intercultural Communication, Issue 21, 2018)



“‘The aim of this book is to synthesize empirical research-based and theoretical perspectives on shame in various cultural contexts’ … . This book shows us how we can transcend the divide between the pathological side and the positive side for shame. That is why I highly recommend this landmark publication toboth PP researchers and clinicians.” (Paul T. P. Wong, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 62 (34), August, 2017) 

• Katholische Erwachsenenbildung, Mainz, Germany

  Elisabeth Vanderheiden

• Institut für therapeutische Kommunikation und Sprachgebrauch, European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany

  Claude-Hélène Mayer

Elisabeth Vanderheiden, pedagogue, theologian, mediator, managing director of the Catholic Adult Education Rhineland-Palatinate and the federal chairman of the Catholic Adult Education Germany. She has published articles in the context of vocational qualifications, in particular qualification of teachers and trainers, as well as current topics of general, vocational and civic education and intercultural opening processes.



Claude-Hélène Mayer is an adjunct professor at the European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, and a Senior Research Associate at the Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. She has published several monographs, text collections, journal articles and special issues on mental health and well-being, conflict management and mediation in transcultural contexts, health-related and well-being and women in leadership.

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