Honor and shame reconsidered: Negotiations of identity and community in Karpathos, Greece

Kalliopi M Christodoulaki, Purdue University

Abstract

This thesis examines the value systems of honor and shame in order to address past critiques of the model and to understand how these concepts are still used in a contemporary society. During field research on the Greek Island of Karpathos, it became apparent that individuals tried to gain social standing in their community by highlighting behaviors deemed by the community as honorable and by hiding dishonorable behaviors. They used categories based on honor and shame, good and bad, to create and maintain systems of prestige, to negotiate social capital, allocate resources, strengthen alliances, and foster community identity. Furthermore, they discussed their actions and those of others to form ideas of worth. They used words and phrases associated with honor and dishonor to describe behaviors, individuals, and communities. These descriptions were then used to categorize people based on their performances. Furthermore, categorizations determined an individual’s access to social capital. To have social support, to be identified as a worthy member of the society, it is necessary to have strong interpersonal relationships. The exchanges that cement those relationships are gift-giving, attendance at social functions, assistance, and returned hospitality and generosity, which are all considered displays of honor. The process further unites community members as they work out how to determine worth and the social benefits and sanctions associated with that determination.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Buckser, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Cultural anthropology|East European Studies

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