Definitionv1DF-721
Guilt
a psychological response that functions as a cooperation-maintenance mechanism, activating when an individual's behavior threatens a cooperative relationship and motivating reparative action that preserves the social bond
Why This Is a Definition
This definition establishes guilt's evolutionary function and mechanism, distinguishing it from moral guilt by identifying its genus (psychological response) and differentia (cooperation-maintenance mechanism, social bond preservation). It provides a precise semantic boundary that explains guilt's adaptive purpose.