Self-Control Modulates the Behavioral Response of Interpersonal Forgiveness

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that forgiveness is associated with the ability of selfcontrol. However, whether self-control can modulate interpersonal forgiveness remains unclear. In the current study, we aimed to explore the relationship between self-control and the process of forgiveness using a behavioral measure of forgiveness during which participants distributed money between themselves and unknown others who had previously treated them fairly or unfairly in an adapted decision-making task. Seventytwo participants with low or high self-control were recruited based on their scores on the self-control scale (SCS). Results showed that participants exhibited increased anger and decreased happiness after experiencing unfair treatment. Participants with high self-control distributed more money to opponents who previously treated them unfairly compared with those with low self-control, whereas no such difference was observed to opponents who previously treated them fairly between the two groups. A significantly positive correlation was also found between the forgiveness rates and participants' self-control scores. These findings suggest that self-control modulates interpersonal forgiveness responses. Individuals with high self-control expressed an increased prosocial response toward people who previously offended them, which is similar to the process of forgiveness.

Moral disciplining: the cognitive and evolutionary foundations of puritanical morality

“…Unimpulsive individuals are less prone to antisocial and criminal behaviors, after controlling for social class and IQ (Moffitt et al, 2011;Vazsonyi et al, 2017). They exhibit better interpersonal functioning (e.g., commitment, loyalty) (de Ridder et al, 2012; and greater forgiveness and inhibition of retaliation desires (Burnette et al, 2014;Liu & Li, 2020). They are less prone to uncooperative behaviors in the workplace (e.g., lying, abusing coworkers) (Cohen et al, 2014;Restubog et al, 2010), and to over-exploit a common-pool resource in a field experiment (Fehr & Leibbrandt, 2011).…”

Does Self-Control Promote Prosocial Behavior? Evidence from a Longitudinal Tracking Study

“…A person with low self-control ability is more likely to violate social rules and has difficulty in resisting temptation, therefore being more likely to act impulsively when facing problems. It is precisely because of the existence of self-control that individuals constantly examine whether their behaviors conform to social norms, regulate unhealthy emotions such as anger, and ultimately reduce the occurrence of anti-social behaviors such as crime and aggression [ 1 , 16 ]. To better adjust to society, individuals should overcome temporary temptations and engage in more prosocial behavior that is conformed to social and long-range objectives, such as helping others and donating [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Purity is still a problem

“…Following 1,000 children from birth to age 32, Moffitt et al (2011) show that children with poor self-control are more likely to be convicted of a criminal offense as adults, after controlling for social class origins and IQ. Meta-analytic evidence confirms that low self-control is associated with criminal behaviors (Vazsonyi, Mikuška, & Kelley, 2017), lower propensity to forgive others and refrain from retaliation (Burnette et al, 2014;Liu & Li, 2020), and poorer interpersonal functioning (e.g., loyalty) (de Ridder, Lensvelt-Mulders, Finkenauer, Stok, & Baumeister, 2012). Low self-control predicts greater propensity to deceive others to obtain more benefits (Fan, Ren, Zhang, Xiao, & Zhong, 2020), lower likelihood to keep promises in relationships (Peetz & Kammrath, 2011), as well as uncooperative behaviors in the workplace (e.g., low accommodation of coworkers' needs) (Cohen, Panter, Turan, Morse, & Kim, 2014;Restubog, Garcia, Wang, & Cheng, 2010).…”