Study guide/discussion questions for “Shame and the Social Bond.” Come prepared to discuss these questions next week (for the online class, discuss these questions this week on our discussion board).

Discuss the criticisms that Scheff has of the various works of sociologists and psychologists in his essay.

What were Scheff's criticisms of Freud?

Explain Cooley’s concept of the “looking glass self.”

According to Norbert Elias, what kind of transformation occurs in the last five centuries in the Western world with respect to shame?

According to Richard Sennett what are two injuries that the working class suffer?

According to Helen Lewis, what is the difference between overt, undifferentiated shame and bypassed shame?

What is a “feeling trap”?

According to Helen Lewis, what is the relationship between shame and the social bond?

What is your assessment of Scheff’s arguments?