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English
Published
:
2026-05-19
Shame as a Social Tool for Punishing Socially Maladjusted Individuals and Their Motivation for Change in the Age of the Anthropocene
Kacper Radzki
Abstract
This article explores the role of shame as a social control tool in relation to socially maladjusted individuals in the Anthropocene era. It analyzes both the classical understanding of shame and guilt in resocialization processes and the limitations of shame as a punitive measure. New moral and ecological contexts characteristic of the Anthropocene lead to a redefinition of social norms and the emergence of phenomena such as collective shame, eco-shame, and eco-guilt. The author argues that while shame can serve a regulatory function, in its repressive form it more often results in stigmatization than in behavioral change. The article proposes integrating ecological and cultural responsibility into resocialization efforts as a path toward effective individual and collective transformation. The approach combines insights from sociology, the psychology of emotions, and environmental ethics.Keywords:
shame, resocialization, Anthropocene, social norms, moral responsibilityMost read articles by the same author(s)
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Radzki, K. (2026). Shame as a Social Tool for Punishing Socially Maladjusted Individuals and Their Motivation for Change in the Age of the Anthropocene. Społeczeństwo, 36(1), 44–52. https://doi.org/10.58324/s.496