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McLaughlin A, Marshall J, McAuliffe K. Developing conceptions of forgiveness across the lifespan. Child Dev 2024. [PMID: 38819627 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how to respond to transgressions is central to cooperation, yet little is known about how individuals understand the consequences of these responses. Accordingly, the current study explored children's (ages 5-9), adolescents' (ages 11-14), and adults' (N = 544, predominantly White, ~50% female, tested in 2021) understandings of three such responses-forgiveness, punishment, and doing nothing. At all ages, participants differentiated between the consequences of these three responses. Forgiveness was associated with more positive and fewer negative outcomes, while the opposite was true for punishment and doing nothing. With age, participants were less likely to expect positive outcomes, and this effect was strongest for punishment and doing nothing. The results of this study allow novel insights into reasoning about three important response strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby McLaughlin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julia Marshall
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine McAuliffe
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
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Chatzimike-Levidi MD, Collard JJ. An integrated model of aggression: links between core self-evaluations, anger rumination and forgiveness. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04077-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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Ma L, Jiang Y. Empathy Mediates the Relationship Between Motivations After Transgression and Forgiveness. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1466. [PMID: 32733330 PMCID: PMC7360792 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies found the associations between motivations after transgression and forgiveness in adults. However, less is known about the relationship between transgression-related motivations and forgiveness among adolescents and the potential mediating role of empathy. These questions were investigated among 445 Chinese adolescents using the Tendency to Forgive Scale, the Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. The results found a negative relationship between avoidance and revenge motivation and forgiveness tendency and a positive association between benevolent motivation and forgiveness tendency. In addition, the study also revealed a partial mediating role of empathy regarding the effect of the transgression-related motivations on forgiveness tendency. These findings suggested that empathy plays a vital role in the relationship between transgression-related motivations and forgiveness among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ma
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,School of Teacher Education, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, China
| | - Yingjie Jiang
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Lomas
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
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Exline JJ, Worthington EL, Hill P, McCullough ME. Forgiveness and Justice: A Research Agenda for Social and Personality Psychology. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2016; 7:337-48. [PMID: 14633470 DOI: 10.1207/s15327957pspr0704_06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Forgiveness and related constructs (e.g., repentance, mercy, reconciliation) are ripe for study by social and personality psychologists, including those interested in justice. Current trends in social science, law, management, philosophy, and theology suggest a need to expand existing justice frameworks to incorporate alternatives or complements to retribution, including forgiveness and related processes. In this article, we raise five challenging empirical questions about forgiveness. For each question, we briefly review representative research, raise hypotheses, and suggest specific ways in which social and personality psychologists could make distinctive contributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Juola Exline
- Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Berry JW, Worthington EL, Parrott L, O’Connor LE, Wade NG. Dispositional Forgivingness: Development and Construct Validity of the Transgression Narrative Test of Forgivingness (TNTF). PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/01461672012710004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Forgivingness is the disposition to forgive interpersonal transgressions over time and across situations. There is currently no acceptable measure of forgivingness for use in testing theoretical propositions. The authors describe a five-item scenario-based scale, the Transgression Narrative Test of Forgivingness (TNTF). In five studies examining 518 university students from three disparate universities, the authors assess the item and full-scale functioning of the TNTF and its concurrent and 8- week predictive validity relative to trait anger, rumination, neuroticism, agreeableness, and hostility. Test-retest reliability and stability of item locations were both good. Norms are presented by gender, ethnicity, and religious activity. The TNTF is a brief measure of forgivingness that is not theory dependent and is therefore useful in basic and intervention research from a variety of theoretical perspectives.
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Abstract
The growing field of positive psychology is encouraging advances in the scientific research of developmental strengths and virtues like forgiveness. However, multicultural and indigenous psychology perspectives can raise valuable questions about positive psychology and the relationship between cultural particularity and virtues like forgiveness. In this article, the authors consider the meaning of virtue in psychology and then focus on the culturally embedded nature of forgiveness as a virtue. They illustrate the value of an indigenous psychology approach by describing some of the dynamics related to conflict resolution and forgiveness in traditional Hmong culture. They then consider ways forgiveness research and intervention might need to be contextualized with Hmong Americans.
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Jiang F, Yue X, Lu S, Yu G. Can you forgive? It depends on how happy you are. Scand J Psychol 2014; 56:182-8. [PMID: 25536032 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper examined how individual group status and happiness influence forgiveness. In Study 1, happiness was treated as a trait difference: highly happy people, compared with very unhappy people, were found to be more willing to forgive murderers. More important, an interaction effect between happiness and group status on forgiveness was found, that is, highly happy people tended to be more forgiving when either ingroup or outgroup members were killed; unhappy people, however, tended to be less forgiving about murder when ingroup rather than outgroup members were killed. In Study 2, happiness was treated as an emotional state difference: happiness, rather than sadness, was found to bring greater forgiveness. Moreover, consistent with the interaction effect displayed in Study 1, happy participants tended to forgive more when ingroup or outgroup members were hurt; sad participants tended to forgive less when ingroup members rather than outgroup members were hurt. Implications for connections between happiness, group membership, and forgiveness are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jiang
- Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
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Hook JN, Worthington EL, Utsey SO, Davis DE, Burnette JL. Collectivistic Self-Construal and Forgiveness. COUNSELING AND VALUES 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/j.2161-007x.2012.00012.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Webb JR, Dula CS, Brewer K. Forgiveness and Aggression Among College Students. JOURNAL OF SPIRITUALITY IN MENTAL HEALTH 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/19349637.2012.642669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Root BL, Exline JJ. Gender Differences in Response to Experimental Forgiveness Prompts: Do Men Show Stronger Responses Than Women? BASIC AND APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/01973533.2011.568850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to discuss cultural similarities and differences in the processes of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a complex construct without a consensual definition. Generally speaking, forgiveness is the process that involves a change in cognitions, emotions, motivations, and behaviors regarding the transgressor ( R. D. Enright & R. P. Fitzgibbons, 2000 ). Scientific interest in forgiveness has rapidly increased in the recent years, but whether the conceptualizations and underling mechanisms of forgiveness are similar across cultures still remain unclear. A dynamic process model of forgiveness is proposed in this paper, which includes the sociocultural, cognitive, emotional, motivational, and behavioral aspects of forgiveness processes. Particular processes that are likely to differ across Eastern–Western cultures are identified.
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Karremans JC, Regalia C, Paleari FG, Fincham FD, Cui M, Takada N, Ohbuchi KI, Terzino K, Cross SE, Uskul AK. Maintaining Harmony Across the Globe. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PERSONALITY SCIENCE 2011. [DOI: 10.1177/1948550610396957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Although previous research shows that relationship closeness plays a central role in an individual’s willingness to forgive an offender, it is based exclusively on data from Western, individualistic cultures. In the current study, the authors examined the association between relationship closeness and forgiveness across six countries, including both traditionally individualistic—Italy, the Netherlands, the United States—and collectivistic cultures—Japan, China (and one country, Turkey, with both individualistic and collectivistic features). Results demonstrated that, cross-culturally, there was a robust positive association between closeness toward the offender and level of forgiveness, both for trait-forgiveness and offense-specific forgiveness. However, this association was weaker in the collectivistic countries, which may suggest that strong norms in these countries to maintain social harmony may partly weaken the role of closeness in forgiveness. Overall, the present findings are discussed in terms of the possible evolutionary origins of forgiveness and the role of individualism/collectivism in forgiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan C. Karremans
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Ming Cui
- The Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA
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Molden DC, Finkel EJ. Motivations for promotion and prevention and the role of trust and commitment in interpersonal forgiveness. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2009.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Worthington EL, van Oyen Witvliet C, Lerner AJ, Scherer M. Forgiveness in health research and medical practice. Explore (NY) 2009; 1:169-76. [PMID: 16781526 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2005.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
With the rising popularity of positive psychology, research on forgiveness has flourished. Forgiveness has been found to have application to the field of medicine. We review definitions and describe potential physical and mental benefits of forgiveness. We (1) address potential mechanisms by which forgiveness might affect physical health, (2) evaluate the research on forgiveness and mental health, (3) summarize research on interventions to promote forgiveness, (4) examine issues specifically related to medicine in which forgiveness might play an important role, and (5) discuss forgiveness of self and others and seeking forgiveness in light of those applications. We emphasize the importance of one's motive in forgiving, noting that altruistic motives hold greater benefits than do self-interested motives.
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Waltman MA, Russell DC, Coyle CT, Enright RD, Holter AC, M. Swoboda C. The effects of a forgiveness intervention on patients with coronary artery disease. Psychol Health 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/08870440801975127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Abstract
Existing models of forgiveness and the strategies to promote forgiveness that draw from them are predominantly individualistic. As the United States becomes more diverse and counseling psychology becomes a more global field, counseling psychologists are increasingly likely to encounter clients who have a collectivistic worldview. The authors propose a theoretical model that clarifies the relationship between collectivism and forgiveness. The importance of maintaining social harmony in collectivistic cultures is central to this relationship. The model has two propositions. First, collectivistic for- giveness occurs within the broad context of social harmony, reconciliation, and relational repair. Second, collectivistic forgiveness is understood as pri- marily a decision to forgive but is motivated largely to promote and maintain group harmony rather than inner peace (as is more often the case in individ- ualistically motivated forgiveness). Finally, the authors suggest a research agenda to study collectivistic forgiveness and provide guidelines for address- ing forgiveness with collectivistic clients.
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Stoia-Caraballo R, Rye MS, Pan W, Brown Kirschman KJ, Lutz-Zois C, Lyons AM. Negative affect and anger rumination as mediators between forgiveness and sleep quality. J Behav Med 2008; 31:478-88. [PMID: 18787939 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-008-9172-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2008] [Accepted: 08/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Research indicates that forgiveness of interpersonal transgressions relates to better sleep quality, whereas maintaining feelings of anger and hostility relates to poorer sleep quality. However, the mechanisms explaining these relationships have yet to be determined. We examined whether negative affect and anger rumination mediate the relationship between forgiveness of others and sleep quality using a sample of 277 undergraduates from a medium-sized Midwestern Catholic university. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing forgiveness of others (situational and dispositional), sleep quality (nocturnal sleep and daytime fatigue), negative affect (depression and anxiety), and anger rumination. Using structural equation modeling, we found that negative affect and anger rumination mediated the relationship between forgiveness and sleep quality through two indirect pathways. In one pathway, negative affect mediated between forgiveness and sleep quality. In the second pathway, both negative affect and anger rumination functioned as mediators. Implications for clinicians and researchers are discussed.
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Moore M, Dahlen ER. Forgiveness and consideration of future consequences in aggressive driving. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2008; 40:1661-6. [PMID: 18760093 PMCID: PMC2574511 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2008.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2008] [Revised: 05/14/2008] [Accepted: 05/27/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Most research on aggressive driving has focused on identifying aspects of driver personality which will exacerbate it (e.g., sensation seeking, impulsiveness, driving anger, etc.). The present study was designed to examine two theoretically relevant but previously unexplored personality factors predicted to reduce the risk of aggressive driving: trait forgiveness and consideration of future consequences. The utility of these variables in predicting aggressive driving and driving anger expression was evaluated among 316 college student volunteers. Hierarchical multiple regressions permitted an analysis of the incremental validity of these constructs beyond respondent gender, age, miles driven per week, and driving anger. Both forgiveness and consideration of future consequences contributed to the prediction of aggressive driving and driving anger expression, independent of driving anger. Research on aggressive driving may be enhanced by greater attention to adaptive, potentially risk-reducing traits. Moreover, forgiveness and consideration of future consequences may have implications for accident prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Moore
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Psychology, 118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, USA
| | - Eric R. Dahlen
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Psychology, 118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, USA
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Allemand M, Sassin-Meng A, Huber S, Schmitt M. Entwicklung und Validierung einer Skala der Bereitschaft zu verzeihen (SBV). DIAGNOSTICA 2008. [DOI: 10.1026/0012-1924.54.2.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Verzeihen dient der Bewältigung von Kränkungen und zwischenmenschlichen Konflikten. Es werden Definitionen und Operationalisierungen aus dem englischen Sprachraum vorgestellt. Die Entwicklung eines deutschsprachigen szenarienbasierten Instruments zur Erhebung der Bereitschaft zu verzeihen wird beschrieben. Es wird eine Differenzierung des Konstruktes in zwei Komponenten vorgeschlagen: (a) die Bereitschaft, anderen Menschen zu verzeihen, wenn diese ihre Tat bedauern, (b) die Bereitschaft, anderen Menschen zu verzeihen, wenn diese ihre Tat nicht bedauern. Die Messeigenschaften der neu entwickelten Skala wurden in fünf Studien an insgesamt 1824 Probanden untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Instrument gute psychometrische Eigenschaften besitzt. Die theoretische Differenzierung des Konstrukts wird empirisch bestätigt. Hinweise auf die Konstruktvalidität der Skala ergeben sich aus Zusammenhängen mit theoretisch einschlägigen Referenzkonstrukten: der habituellen Ärgerneigung, der Wahrnehmung und Klarheit über eigene und fremde Gefühle, positiver und negativer Affektivität, den fünf Persönlichkeitsfaktoren und sozialer Erwünschtheit. Für die Konstruktvalidität der Skala sprechen ferner konvergente Korrelationen mit anderen Maßen der Bereitschaft zu verzeihen.
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Forgiveness, physiological reactivity and health: The role of anger. Int J Psychophysiol 2008; 68:51-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2007] [Revised: 01/03/2008] [Accepted: 01/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Worthington EL, Witvliet CVO, Pietrini P, Miller AJ. Forgiveness, Health, and Well-Being: A Review of Evidence for Emotional Versus Decisional Forgiveness, Dispositional Forgivingness, and Reduced Unforgiveness. J Behav Med 2007; 30:291-302. [PMID: 17453329 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-007-9105-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2007] [Accepted: 04/02/2007] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The extant data linking forgiveness to health and well-being point to the role of emotional forgiveness, particularly when it becomes a pattern in dispositional forgivingness. Both are important antagonists to the negative affect of unforgiveness and agonists for positive affect. One key distinction emerging in the literature is between decisional and emotional forgiveness. Decisional forgiveness is a behavioral intention to resist an unforgiving stance and to respond differently toward a transgressor. Emotional forgiveness is the replacement of negative unforgiving emotions with positive other-oriented emotions. Emotional forgiveness involves psychophysiological changes, and it has more direct health and well-being consequences. While some benefits of forgiveness and forgivingness emerge merely because they reduce unforgiveness, some benefits appear to be more forgiveness specific. We review research on peripheral and central nervous system correlates of forgiveness, as well as existing interventions to promote forgiveness within divergent health settings. Finally, we propose a research agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Everett L Worthington
- Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA.
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Angry memories and thoughts of revenge: The relationship between forgiveness and anger rumination. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2005.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Berry JW, Worthington EL, O'Connor LE, Parrott L, Wade NG. Forgivingness, Vengeful Rumination, and Affective Traits. J Pers 2005; 73:183-225. [PMID: 15660677 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2004.00308.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Trait forgivingness is the disposition to forgive interpersonal transgressions over time and across situations. We define forgiveness as the replacement of negative unforgiving emotions with positive, other-oriented emotions. Rumination has been suggested as a mediator between forgivingness and emotional outcomes; however, we suggest that different content of rumination leads to different outcomes after transgressions. In four studies of 179, 233, 80, and 66 undergraduate students, trait forgivingness was negatively correlated with trait anger, hostility, neuroticism, fear, and vengeful rumination and was positively correlated with agreeableness, extraversion, and trait empathy. The disposition to ruminate vengefully mediated the relationship between trait forgivingness and (1) anger-related traits and (2) both revenge motivations and state anger following a specific recent transgression, but it did not mediate between forgivingness and (1) fearfulness and (2) avoidance motivations following a specific transgression. Self-hate statements, a proxy for depressive rumination, mediated the relationship between forgivingness and both depression and fearfulness but not the relationship between forgivingness and trait anger. Future research should distinguish the contents of mental rumination following interpersonal transgressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack W Berry
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA.
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Worthington EL, Scherer M. Forgiveness is an emotion-focused coping strategy that can reduce health risks and promote health resilience: theory, review, and hypotheses. Psychol Health 2004. [DOI: 10.1080/0887044042000196674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Abstract
This chapter discusses progress in the psychology of religion by highlighting its rapid growth during the past 25 years. Recent conceptual and empirical developments are described, with an emphasis on the cognitive and affective basis of religious experience within personality and social psychology. Religion and spirituality as domains of study, as well as being common and important process variables that touch a large portion of human experience, are highlighted. Movement away from the previously dominant measurement paradigm is noted, and particularly promising directions suggestive of an emerging interdisciplinary paradigm are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Emmons
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA.
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vanOyen Witvliet C, Ludwig TE, Vander Laan KL. Granting forgiveness or harboring grudges: implications for emotion, physiology, and health. Psychol Sci 2001; 12:117-23. [PMID: 11340919 DOI: 10.1111/1467-9280.00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Interpersonal offenses frequently mar relationships. Theorists have argued that the responses victims adopt toward their offenders have ramifications not only for their cognition, but also for their emotion, physiology, and health. This study examined the immediate emotional and physiological effects that occurred when participants (35 females, 36 males) rehearsed hurtful memories and nursed grudges (i.e., were unforgiving) compared with when they cultivated empathic perspective taking and imagined granting forgiveness (i.e., were forgiving) toward real-life offenders. Unforgiving thoughts prompted more aversive emotion, and significantly higher corrugator (brow) electromyogram (EMG), skin conductance, heart rate, and blood pressure changes from baseline. The EMG, skin conductance, and heart rate effects persisted after imagery into the recovery periods. Forgiving thoughts prompted greater perceived control and comparatively lower physiological stress responses. The results dovetail with the psychophysiology literature and suggest possible mechanisms through which chronic unforgiving responses may erode health whereas forgiving responses may enhance it.
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Berry JW, Worthington ELJ. Forgivingness, relationship quality, stress while imagining relationship events, and physical and mental health. J Couns Psychol 2001. [DOI: 10.1037/0022-0167.48.4.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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