Transgressions, Guilt, and Forgiveness: A Model of Seeking Forgiveness

Abstract

While there has been increasing interest in the psychology of interpersonal forgiveness, the majority of the research has focused on the forgiveness process from the perspective of the victim. However, since by its very nature, forgiveness involves at least two individuals it is vital to begin to understand forgiveness from the perspective of the transgressor. The current study examines the situational factors that influence when and why offenders will seek forgiveness. Participants recalled an incident where they were the transgressor and responded to a questionnaire that assessed their perceptions and the characteristics of the offense. Then, their intention of seeking forgiveness was measured. It was found that a number of factors, including the severity of the transgression, relational closeness and rumination influenced the likelihood of seeking forgiveness. Furthermore, it was found that a number of these relationships were mediated by feelings of guilt, demonstrating the importance of guilt in motivating the seeking of forgiveness.

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