The effect of shame on prosocial behavior toward a stranger

Background: This study aimed to examine the effect of different types of shame on prosocial behavior to different help-seekers. Methods: : A total of 120 participants were randomly assigned to a neutral mood condition, a public shame or a private shame conditions. Results: : All participants rated their willingness to help a benefactor and a stranger in an everyday helping situation and a money-donating situation after emotion-inducement. The study found a higher willingness of participants in public shame group to help strangers than those in neutral mood and private shame groups. Conclusion: These findings support a facilitation effect of public shame on prosocial behavior toward strangers, indicating an effect of restoring motive of shame on social interaction. The results are further discussed in light of functionalism of shame.