In:
Human Relations, SAGE Publications, Vol. 69, No. 6 ( 2016-06), p. 1387-1418
Abstract:
An apology, as an expression of remorse, can be an effective response from a transgressor to obtain forgiveness from a victim. Yet, to be effective, the victim should not construe the transgressor’s actions in a cynical way. Because low-power people tend to interpret the actions of high-power people in a cynical way, we argue that an apology (versus no apology) from high-power transgressors should be relatively ineffective in increasing forgiveness from low-power victims. We find support for this moderated mediation model in a critical incidents study (Study 1), a forced recall study (Study 2) among employees from various organizations and a controlled laboratory experiment among business students (Study 3). These studies reveal the limited value of expressions of remorse by high-power people in promoting forgiveness.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0018-7267
,
1741-282X
DOI:
10.1177/0018726715611236
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2016
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1492301-4
SSG:
3,2
SSG:
3,4
SSG:
5,2