Shame and guilt are frequently mentioned in the same breath, as moral emotions that inhibit destructive, socially unacceptable behaviors. Recent research, however, indicates that guilt is the more adaptive emotion. Feelings of guilt can motivate people to behave in a moral, caring, socially responsible manner. In contrast, feelings of shame (about the self) can easily go awry. Professor of Psychology June Tangney offers a summary of current research conducted with children, families, and incarcerated offenders, and discusses implications for parents, teachers, and our criminal justice system. From the Series:The Vision Series