Restitution Vs. Apology In Forgiveness
From the 19th July 2012 article at Medical News Today
People are more likely to show forgiving behavior if they receive restitution, but they are more prone to report they have forgiven if they get an apology, according to Baylor University research published in the Journal of Positive Psychology.
The study underscores the importance of both restitution and apology and of using multiple measures for forgiveness, including behavior, said Jo-Ann Tsang, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences.
“One of the main reasons for using behavioral measures in addition to self-reporting by individuals is that they can make themselves look better by only self-reporting, although they don’t necessarily intend to lie,” she said. “And it may be that ‘I forgive you’ is a more conscious feeling if they receive an apology.” ..
…Researchers examined the links between apology, restitution, empathy and forgiveness, measuring forgiveness in two ways: Through behavior (how many raffle tickets participants gave to their partners on the third round); and self-reporting on a questionnaire, with participants telling how highly they rated their motivation to forgive.
Researchers wrote that “making amends can facilitative forgiveness, but not all amends can fully compensate for offenses.” Apology may be needed to repair damage fully, but it may be a “silent forgiveness,” while restitution without apology may lead to a “hollow forgiveness” in which the offenders are treated better but not necessarily forgiven.
“The results suggest that if transgressors seek both psychological and interpersonal forgiveness from their victims, they must pair their apologies with restitution,” they wrote. “Apparently, actions and words speak loudest in concert.”
Related articles
- Actions don’t always speak louder than words when it comes to forgiveness (scienceblog.com)
- Actions don’t always speak louder than words – At least, not when it comes to forgiveness (sott.net)
- Granting Forgiveness, Part II (recoveringwayward.wordpress.com)
- Forgiveness VS Acceptance: What Works Best for You? (biznik.com)
- How to apologize effectively: responsibility, restitution, repentance (winteryknight.wordpress.com)
- Contemplating Forgiveness (and Apologies) (jugglinglife.typepad.com)
- A Prelude to Forgiveness (junkyardsalvation.com)
- ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us’ (chemistrychristianityandme.wordpress.com)
- Quotes on Forgiveness (itakeoffthemask.com)
- Punishment’s One Thing, but Restitution Can Be Costly (blogs.lawyers.com)
- Forgiveness: What’s the cost (blendedfamilyfocus.com)
- Let’s talk about forgiveness (afterbetrayal.wordpress.com)