ISSN:
2328-1162
Content:
Two experiments (N = 487) tested the effects of receiving an apology (absent, present) and restitution (absent, present) in imagery of a one-sided transgression and common property crime, a burglary scenario. Within a framework of accountability, apology and restitution represent relationally responsive responsibility-taking and repair efforts by a perpetrator. Experiments 1 and 2 found that a thorough apology and restitution each decreased unforgiveness while eliciting increased empathy and forgiveness from student and community samples, respectively. Experiment 2 found that a custody condition consistent with a perpetrator’s willing accountability for wrongdoing (i.e., spontaneous confession with surrender) decreased unforgiveness while increasing empathy and forgiveness in comparison to a custody condition in which the offender was being held accountable externally (involuntary apprehension) or a no-custody control condition. This experimental evidence points to offender accountability efforts through apology, restitution, and surrender as important for decreasing victims’ unforgiving motivations and promoting their empathy and forgiveness.
In:
Journal of psychology and theology, London : Sage Publishing, 1973, 48(2020), 2, Seite 88-104, 2328-1162
In:
volume:48
In:
year:2020
In:
number:2
In:
pages:88-104
Language:
English
Keywords:
Entschuldigung
;
Entschädigung
;
Opfer
;
Verzeihung
DOI:
10.1177/0091647120915181
URL:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0091647120915181
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