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Guilt and shame: an axiomatic analysis

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Abstract

Using the machinery of Game Theory, this article analyzes how shame and guilt affect preferences. Based on abundant psychological literature, we posit that the preference ordering of someone who can feel shame (or guilt) must satisfy a number of axioms and prove that it can be represented by a particular utility function. Understanding how shame and guilt work is important to explain why people respect social norms and exhibit prosocial behavior, many times contrary to their material interest.

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Correspondence to Raúl López-Pérez.

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López-Pérez, R. Guilt and shame: an axiomatic analysis. Theory Decis 69, 569–586 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11238-009-9132-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11238-009-9132-8

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