Which feeling indicates an emotional response to a mistake or failure?

The feeling that indicates an emotional response to a mistake or failure is guilt. Guilt arises when an individual believes they have violated their own moral standards or expectations, leading to feelings of remorse. This emotion serves as a reflective mechanism that motivates a person to acknowledge their mistakes and consider how to rectify them or make amends. Guilt can result from actions that have negatively impacted oneself or others, causing a person to feel regretful and anxious about the consequences of their actions.

In contrast, emotions such as joy, fear, and surprise do not specifically relate to the experience of a mistake or failure. Joy is associated with positive experiences and successes, fear often relates to perceived threats or dangers, and surprise pertains to unexpected events. None of these emotions evoke the introspection and responsibility that guilt does. Therefore, guilt is the emotional response most indicative of reflecting on a mistake or failure.