Socio-Ecological Hypothesis of Reconciliation: Cultural, Individual, and Situational Variations in Willingness to Accept Apology or Compensation

Abstract

The main goal of the present research is to examine socio-ecological hypothesis on apology and compensation. Specifically, we conducted four studies to test the idea that an apology is an effective means to induce reconciliation in a residentially stable community, whereas compensation is an effective means in a residentially mobile community. In Studies 1, 2a, and 2b, American and Japanese participants (national difference in mobility; Study 1) or non-movers and movers (within-nation difference in mobility; Studies 2a and 2b) imagined the situations in which they were hurt by their friends and rated to what extent they would be willing to maintain their friendships upon receipt of apology or compensation. The results showed that compensation was more effective in appeasing residentially mobile people (i.e., Americans and movers) than stable people (i.e., Japanese and non-movers), while apology was slightly more effective appeasing residentially stable people than residentially mobile people (significant in Study 1; not significant in Studies 2a and 2b). In Study 3, by conducting an economics game experiment, we directly tested the hypothesis that mobility would impair the effectiveness of apology and enhance the effectiveness of compensation. The results again partially supported our hypothesis: In the high mobility condition, compensation increased one’s willingness to continue the relationship with the offender, when compared to willingness in the low mobility condition. The importance of socio-ecological perspective on the forgiveness literature is discussed.

An evolutionary psychology view of forgiveness: individuals, groups, and culture

“…Consequently, they hypothesized that people from high-mobility backgrounds would require costly apologies (e.g., financial compensation) before forgiving, while low mobility victims would more readily accept a cost-free apology. In three separate experiments, Komiya and colleagues [28] indeed found that people who reported moving more frequently were more likely to forgive after receiving compensation, compared to those who reported moving fewer times; conversely, people who reported moving fewer times were more likely than more frequently movers to forgive after receiving a mere apology (without any compensation). Additionally, Komiya et al [28] causally manipulated mobility by varying the expected length of subjects' interactions with their partner in a multi-round behavioral economic game.…”

“…In three separate experiments, Komiya and colleagues [28] indeed found that people who reported moving more frequently were more likely to forgive after receiving compensation, compared to those who reported moving fewer times; conversely, people who reported moving fewer times were more likely than more frequently movers to forgive after receiving a mere apology (without any compensation). Additionally, Komiya et al [28] causally manipulated mobility by varying the expected length of subjects' interactions with their partner in a multi-round behavioral economic game. Compensation was most effective in promoting forgiveness among subjects who expected shorter interaction, while apologies sufficed for subjects who anticipated longer interactions.…”

“…Compensation was most effective in promoting forgiveness among subjects who expected shorter interaction, while apologies sufficed for subjects who anticipated longer interactions. [28] research is a promising start in integrating cultural and evolutionary considerations, but many questions remain. For instance, what other cultural variables influence perceptions of a harmdoer's relationship value?…”

Apriori Algorithm for the Data Mining of Global Cyberspace Security Issues for Human Participatory Based on Association Rules

“…In terms of probability theory, when a data breach occurs, there will be cyber attacks with the probability depending on the size of confidence. The greater confidence of rules means that there are more sufficient reasons to trust the rule ( Komiya et al, 2020 ).…”

Move more and bribe more? The impact of residential mobility on bribe‐giving

“…Consistent with this postulation, empirical evidence has indicated that an increase in population mobility fosters a transactional mindset (Park, 1953). A recent study has shown that for frequent (vs. less frequent) movers, economic compensation rather than apology increases one's willingness to continue the relationship with offenders (Komiya et al, 2020). Moreover, residential mobility leads to pursuit of self-interest with tangible and intangible outcomes (e.g., psychological happiness; Ishii et al, 2020), and decreases ingroup commitment (Oishi, Talhelm, et al, 2015) as well as procommunity behaviours (Oishi et al, 2007).Residential mobility also nurtures endorsement of the identity that can provide more self-esteem (Oishi et al, 2009).…”