Toward a better understanding of the guilt-reparation association: The potential implication of attentional processes

Emotions can be seen as serving behavior. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are in need of further clarification. This paper aims to explore these potential processes in the case of guilt. It is widely assumed that guilt leads people to engage in reparatory behavior, but this link is not systematic and guilt could also trigger reactive effects. We suggest that taking into account attentional processes would provide a better understanding of these paradoxical outcomes. The implications of these reflections on the understanding of the effect that emotions have on behavior association are also discussed.