The resource potential of guilt, conscience, and shame in the transformation of subjectivity among individuals with a history of incarceration

Evgeniya Zueva

UDC

159.9.07

CSCSTI

15.81

Russian Classification of Professions by Education

37.00.00 37.05.02

Russian Library and Bibliographic Classification

VAK Russia

5.3.9

THE RESOURCE POTENTIAL OF GUILT, CONSCIENCE, AND SHAME IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF SUBJECTIVITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH A HISTORY OF INCARCERATION The resource potential of guilt, conscience, and shame in the transformation of subjectivity among individuals with a history of incarceration

АА Аа

Published in Vestnik of the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia · Pages 294–302 · Rubric: FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY OF SAFETY

Received: 22.04.2025 Accepted: 25.12.2025 Published: 30.12.2025 Language of publication: RUS

Authors

Evgeniya Zueva

ORCID

Evgeniya Zueva

Academic degree: candidate of psychological sciences

Science rang: docent

Saint Petersburg University of the MIA of Russia Russian Federation · St. Petersburg

ORCID

ABSTRACT

Introduction. This article examines the resource functions of guilt, conscience, and shame in the process of subjectivity transformation among individuals with a history of incarceration. The relevance of this research is underscored by the practical need to implement the Federal Law “On Probation in the Russian Federation”, which necessitates a deeper psychological understanding of rehabilitation processes. Research Aim. To substantiate the psychological resources of guilt, conscience, and shame in the process of subjectivity transformation among individuals with a history of incarceration. The study examines theoretical concepts of guilt, shame, and conscience to delineate the relationship between these phenomena. Methods. The study employed general scientific methods of data collection, analysis, and synthesis, alongside an analysis of normative legal documents and literature relevant to the transformation of subjectivity among individuals after incarceration. Results. The analysis reveals that responsibility–which entails freedom of action-constitutes a common attribute of guilt, shame, and conscience. The study delineates the functional distinctions between these phenomena and examines their connection to offending behaviour. A key finding is that the resource potential of guilt, shame, and conscience varies depending on whether the situation surrounding the misconduct is real or imagined. Ultimately, these phenomena function as mechanisms of social control for individuals after incarceration. Their inherent unity encompasses cognitive and emotional regulation, along with underlying motives and attitudes. Guilt is characterised as a higher-order emotion in terms of its scope, content, level, and experiential intensity, with conscience and shame constituting its structural components. Guilt generates the phenomena of conscience and shame, representing a more profound psychological construct. Conscience is conceptualised as a sociocultural construct, whereas shame is viewed as a personal one. The conclusion posits that, collectively, guilt, conscience, and shame foster a high degree of adaptability, personal coherence, and the cultivation of an ‘existential’ experience for the individual, thereby constituting their overarching resource potential.

KEYWORDS

guilt, conscience, shame, functions, resource potential, subjectivity transformation, individuals after incarceration

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GOST

Zueva E. G. The resource potential of guilt, conscience, and shame in the transformation of subjectivity among individuals with a history of incarceration // . 2025. pp. 294-302. (Date of access 19.08.2026).

MLA

Evgeniya Zueva. "The resource potential of guilt, conscience, and shame in the transformation of subjectivity among individuals with a history of incarceration." (2025): 294-302.

APA

Zueva E. G. (2025). The resource potential of guilt, conscience, and shame in the transformation of subjectivity among individuals with a history of incarceration. , 294-302.

Chicago

Evgeniya Zueva. "The resource potential of guilt, conscience, and shame in the transformation of subjectivity among individuals with a history of incarceration." , no. (2025): 294-302.

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{{cite journal | author = Zueva E. G. | title = The resource potential of guilt, conscience, and shame in the transformation of subjectivity among individuals with a history of incarceration | journal = | year = 2025 | pages = 294-302 }}

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THE RESOURCE POTENTIAL OF GUILT, CONSCIENCE, AND SHAME IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF SUBJECTIVITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH A HISTORY OF INCARCERATION The resource potential of guilt, conscience, and shame in the transformation of subjectivity among individuals with a history of incarceration

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