Or do you think it is completely learned?
2007-01-24 19:17:08 · 5 answers · asked by lovely.ishtar 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
it's natural
just like when ur dog do something banned and then hide even before u notice it, he feels guitly!
2007-01-25 01:24:37 · answer #1 · answered by B for bernadetta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guilt is a learned behavior.
I say this because babies and small children do not feel 'guilty' about the things they do unless someone instructs them that what they are doing is 'wrong.' Because children are simply aged extensions of babies, they develop their pattern of behavior from being a baby.
Does a baby feel 'guilty' that it is screaming in the middle of your cocktail party? No. Does a baby feel 'guilty' when it is throwing food around the room? No.
Because parents hold children to a different standard than babies, they bring into their lives the concept of 'wrong'. Some things are 'wrong' to do, other things are 'right'. Thus, guilt is really a learned response to peforming a 'wrong' action. A child who has never been taught to NOT take the cookies sitting on the table will feel no guilt in doing so, and will even take the cookies if everyone around them is refraining from doing so.
However, if a child has been taught that 'taking cookies without permission is a no-no', then they will most likely take the cookies when they feel that no one is around. This circumvention of their natural instinct to take the cookie (first look to see if anyone is watching) is the beginning stage of 'guilt'. Someone walking in unexpectedly, and catching them in the act, will bring out surprise and 'fear' in them, and the fear is the second stage of guilt, since it is the 'guilt' that is responsible for their fear. When confronted with the evidence, and retelling of the taboo, the pain and humiliation they then take in is the final stage of guilt, since it builds up the feeling/response of guilt so that the child may better avoid such a situation in the future.
Through repetition of words and actions, guilt is 'created' within the individual, and thus is their individuality curtailed by an examination of feelings before committing questionable acts.
2007-01-25 06:37:50 · answer #2 · answered by Khnopff71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all people naturally feel guilt even if its just a small thing
its completely normal to feel guilt even for the smallest things in life
2007-01-25 03:23:17 · answer #3 · answered by Fluffy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh it's definately natural - (if you have a conscience that is!) I sometimes feel guilt by a mere thought! We have the understanding of what is right and what is wrong, and performing the latter, causes the guilt...
2007-01-25 03:30:25 · answer #4 · answered by Bite Me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do think it's natural, although some people seem to feel less guilt than others.
2007-01-25 09:25:52 · answer #5 · answered by Ace Librarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋