Guilt can be a strong motivator as is peer pressure.
Some religions have incorporated it into their rites and observances. Absolution of guilt has been a carrot that is used to motivate those in whom guilt has been induced for whatever case. The sale of indulgences profiteered on guilt or at least the fear of consequences.
Similarly confession and penance is one type of path to absolution.
In the Progressive Left's absence of religion, we observe millennials and other adherents starved of real meaning in their lives finding themselves feeling guilty for perceived privilege etc.
Politicians and movements prey on this guilt to get their adherents to perform types of "penance". These often meaningless acts result in virtue signalling... The ulterior motivated "good works" of the Biblical hypocrites of the new testament.
Ultimately the virtue signal does little to solve real world problems but appeases the performers conscience or diverts the attention of marauding mobs of social justice and other warriors.