Investigating Shame as a Resource in the Anthropocene: An Emotional Psychology Perspective

This chapter examines the significance of shame as a resource in the context of the Anthropocene, particularly from an emotional psychology perspective. The authors conduct a detailed literature-based analysis of shame, exploring its psychological and sociocultural dimensions, and its powerful potential as a transformative emotion in confronting the ecological crisis. While existing research on the emotional processing of environmental issues often focuses on emotions like fear, grief, and anger, this chapter highlights the critical role of shame. It discusses how awareness of the profound and often irreversible human impacts on natural systems evokes shame at individual, organisational, and collective levels. Moreover, the chapter emphasises the importance of understanding shame within various cultural contexts, advocating for interdisciplinary and culturally sensitive approaches to harness its potential. The chapter also explores the role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence and digital platforms, in amplifying and shaping emotional responses in the Anthropocene. The discussion concludes by responding to three key research questions: (1) How does the awareness of ecological damage influence the experience of shame across different levels? (2) What role does shame play in mobilising environmental awareness and political activism? (3) To what extent can shame be utilised as a transformative resource for sustainable and long-term environmental policy changes? By reframing shame not merely as a debilitating emotion but as a catalyst for personal growth, organisational accountability, and collective action, the chapter provides a significant conceptual contribution to current literature and suggests new pathways for sustainable action in the face of global environmental crises.