The three samples constituted two main groups in their cultural orientation; the German sample manifested an individualistic orientation; whereas, the other two samples (Kurds and Lebanese) reflected a collectivistic orientation. Cross-cultural researchers hypothesized that individuals from collectivistic cultures would respond to normative violations with more shame (sense of a real or imagined audience for one's misdeeds), and individuals from individualistic cultures would respond with more guilt (negative self-regard that does not need an audience). The findings indicate that subjects from collectivistic cultures respond with both more shame and guilt than subjects from the individualistic culture; however, there was no distinction regarding the degree of guilt between the two main cultural groups. Since the three cultural groups have a similar religious outlook in terms of monotheism (Christianity and Islam), this factor increases the degree of guilt even for subjects with a collectivistic background. Also, the Kurds and Lebanese manifest a greater willingness to keep to the norms of religion and tradition and less willingness to allow state laws to intervene in family and in-group disputes. 6 tables, 26 references, and an article abstract in French