A factor analysis of a scale of shame and guilt: dimensions of conscience questionnaire

A cluster analysis of a subscale of the Dimensions of Conscience Questionnaire, a measure of shame and guilt, yielded five clusters. Two, Social Impropriety and Exposed Inadequacy, were reflective of shame; three, Impersonal Transgression, Harm to Another Person, and Trust/Oath Violation, denoted guilt. These clusters were consistent with an earlier factor analysis of the DCQ, and with the characterizations of shame and guilt both by the authors of the DCQ and of the present authors.