A traps: shame

Question 1

CATEGORY A: Shame Traps (Self-Blame & Guilt Activation)

1. “Why did you do it, if you knew better?”
   They Want: Regret, guilt, confession of fault

Answer 1

Deflect With:

Frame Dissection: “Are you assuming logic always overrides pain?”

Reversal: “What outcome are you looking for with that question?”

Question 2

2. “Don’t you think your actions hurt others?”
   They Want: Moral guilt, emotional collapse

Answer 2

Deflect With:

Reflective Mirror: “Do you believe I’m unaware of that?”

Frame Dissection: “Is that meant to lead somewhere or just label?”

Question 3

3. “How did your choices affect your loved ones?”
   They Want: Emotional burden, relational guilt

Answer 3

Deflect With:

Reversal: “Do you think awareness always comes before action?”

Mirror: “What do you think the answer is?”

Question 4

4. “Do you feel guilty about what happened?”
   They Want: Emotional leak, vulnerability

Answer 4

Deflect With:

Reversal: “What makes you ask that?”

Frame Dissection: “Is guilt required to move forward?”

Question 5

5. “What would your younger self think of your behavior?”
   They Want: Regret, inner-child collapse

Answer 5

Deflect With:

Mirror: “What makes you think that reflection is helpful?”

Frame Dissection: “Are you implying shame is productive?”