13.1 An emotional state of being
Izard’s Differential
Emotional Scale (Izard 1977) is, according to Tangney and Dearing (2002), the
most widely used measurement tool for evaluating emotional states. A drawback
here is that this scale merges shame and embarrassment and does not acknowledge
that they can be viewed as two distinct emotions. Another measurement tool is
the State Guilt Scale (Kugler and Jones 1992), but it does not seem to
distinguish between shame and guilt experiences either. According to Tangney
and Dearing (2002), Turner (1998) has attempted to develop a solid scale for
measuring shame in her doctoral dissertation: the Experimental Shame Scale.
Tangney and Dearing (2002) also
mention the verbal, paralinguistic and non-verbal markers developed by
Retzinger (1987, 1991) (appendix 5). These markers are context-related; that
is, their relevance depends on the relationship between self and other. These
markers have been important in my analysis of the videotaped recordings of interviews
in my exploration of the concept of shame. Retzinger’s (1991) research on shame was
carried out within the context of marital quarrels and the markers she has
created from this research must be viewed in the context she has collected her
data from. I have developed a similar list of markers for shame based on the
interviews in this exploration within the context of sexual abuse (appendix
20). The two lists can not in my opinion be compared without taking into
consideration that the research is carried out in two different contexts. But
the design which Retzinger developed within her frame of research seems in my
opinion to be of value to use also in the context which this exploration is
carried out in. These markers need in my opinion to be investigated further in
order to be able to evaluate how valid they are. I see that many of the categories
overlap each other and may be markers for other emotions than shame. I also see
that paralinguistic and non-verbal markers such as laughing, smiling,
scratching, hiding can signify just what they are and not have anything to do
with shame. The list should not be used mechanically; doing so would lead to
the misperception of seeing shame where shame is not. The aim of the construction
of these markers has been to explore how one can develop and organize words for
describing what can be observed on a verbal, paralinguistic and non-verbal
level in conversations where shame may be present within the settings of sexual
abuse. The list might in my opinion have a value in helping those who struggle
for finding words to use in their life stories where shame is present and for
the helpers to preceive what the other is saying with words and body. The list
shows in my opinion the complexity of shame; an emotion which can engulf the
whole self, both mind and body.
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