INFLUENCE OF THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION ON EMOTIONS PERTAINING TO THE SENSE OF GUILT

Abstract

Introduction: this paper describes purpose, hypothesis, subject, object, and sampling criteria on the basis of which the research was carried out. Materials and Methods: we used the survey method based on a diagnostic tool – a self-designed questionnaire. Testing took place in three stages: peer-reviewing by four Kandidat nauk degree holders (Ph.D.), with sibsequent amendments; the pilot study was carried out at Ivanovo State University. Number of students surveyed (n = 103). On the basis of results we added answer options to a number of open questions and reformulated some of them; the study was repeated for a larger sampling (n = 96 persons, aged 18 to 80 years old). As a result we excluded questions (or answers) having zero dispersion. We used the analysis of the questionnaire focused on the duration, degree of guilt and physiological support for this feeling, to identify the persons to whom the person tends to feel guilty, as well as to the options to overcome this emotional state. In addition, the set of questions helps clarify the readiness to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Also, the profile part can reveal relations between the concepts of guilt and forgiveness. In processing the data, we used the correlation analysis based on automated package of the statistical data software “SPSS 13”. Results: presented are the main results of the empirical research allowing to define the orientation influence of education on different aspects of the person’s perception as to the emergence of guilt, and the resulting necessity to exit this state, with emphasis on the category of “forgiveness”. A diagram presents the specificity of guilt emotions in people with high levels of education. Discussion and Conclusions: we draw conclusions in the final part of the paper. These results provide a new insight into the process of overcoming of guilt as well as content issues. In addition, the results of the study can be used in the educational process, and can be included in the course “General Psychology”, “Social Psychology” and “Psychology of Personality”.

Keywords

• educational level
• guilt
• forgiveness
• shame
• fear