Shame culture vs Guilt culture - America and Western countries are Shame, not Guilt.

[Nobody-gives-a-finch]

For those of you who are unaware, the shame and guilt cultures are a functional model of the moral compass of individual communities and nations alike.

The primary difference between the two is in the delegation of responsibility; Guilt functions by terms of a set course of what is right and wrong, while Shame functions by the common views of those in the community.

That being said, America is a Shame culture. The cultural aspects of right and wrong is subject to the whims of the populace, lacking any substantial set of true values.

On the bright side, we no longer have burning at the stake or other barbaric practices. So that's something.