First published 2001
Harris builds upon John Braithwaite's influential work on crime and shame by examining how societies can manage shame constructively. The author analyzes real cases involving drink-driving offenders and school bullying incidents to demonstrate practical applications of shame theory. Harris argues for an ethical-identity approach to understanding shame and develops a comprehensive theory of reintegrative shame. The book explores how communities can use shame not as punishment but as a tool for bringing offenders back into society. Through detailed case studies and theoretical analysis, Harris shows how restorative justice practices can transform shame from a destructive force into a healing mechanism. The work offers both academics and practitioners new insights into the controversial debates surrounding punishment and public shaming.
Genres: psychology, social-science, sociology, crime, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-study, case-studies, social-commentary
390 pages · Hardcover · Cambridge University Press