Final answer:
Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort experienced when there is a conflict between one's actions and their positive self-image, often occurring after doing something wrong. Neuroticism can exacerbate these negative feelings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The negative feelings that people experience when they do something wrong can be referred to as cognitive dissonance. This psychological discomfort arises from a conflict in a person's behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs that contrasts with their positive self-perception. People experience this when they act contrary to their internal moral code, which triggers the dissonance because they perceive some benefit in their actions despite understanding that their actions might be seen as wrong. In a collectivist culture, this sense of wrongdoing may be even more pronounced due to the emphasis on communal relations and conformity to social norms.
Another related concept is neuroticism, which includes the tendency to experience negative emotions such as guilt or remorse when one's actions are not aligned with what is perceived as correct or ethical. High levels of neuroticism can lead to heightened responses to these negative feelings.