Victim's Perspective of Forgiveness Seeking Behaviors After Transgressions

Abstract

Forgiveness seeking after a relational transgression is an important aspect of relational repair from an interpersonal perspective, although it has received much less attention than the process of granting forgiveness. This research focuses on the victim's perspective of the transgressor's behaviors and how they are related to forgiveness and offense characteristics. This paper proposes a multidimensional concept of seeking forgiveness that includes four dimensions: apologies, restorative action, relational caring behaviors, and diverting behaviors. A questionnaire for assessing these dimensions was developed and tested with a general population sample of 450 subjects. Participants recalled a specific offense and then answered a questionnaire about the perceived usefulness of different forgiveness-seeking behaviors, a forgiveness inventory, and several questions regarding the characteristics of the offense (severity, intentionality, and frequency). Our results support the four-factor structure of the questionnaire. As the perceived intentionality of the offense increases, behaviors that are directly related to the transgression, such as apologies and restorative actions, are experienced as less useful for forgiveness. The more hurtful the offense, the less useful the diverting behaviors are. Behavior such as apologies and restorative action are related to a lower (less) motivation for revenge, while all forgiveness-seeking behaviors are related to an increase in feelings of benevolence toward the offender.

Understanding the nature and consequences of transgressions and forgiveness in the workplace in India

“…Similarly, individual differences in values, personality traits, and life goals may cause differences in the perceptions and communication of workplace transgressions (Elnaga, 2012). Understand ing the workplace transgressions is significant since it determines forgiveness-seeking behaviours and the severity, intentionality, and frequency of the transgressions, which play a significant role in granting forgiveness (Martinez-Diaz et al, 2021). Research also suggests that the presence of workplace transgressions is linked with lowered productiv ity, negative health outcomes, and increased occupational conflicts (Giebels & Janssen, 2005;Toussaint et al, 2018).…”

“…To some extent, the study findings lend support to previous research. For example, a recent study suggests that a variety of methods are used by individuals such as apologies, restorative action, relational caring behaviours, and diverting behaviours to seek forgive ness in the workplace (Martinez-Diaz et al, 2021). Similarly, empathy, rectification, and rebuilding trust have been suggested to ease forgiveness (Chi et al, 2019).…”

“…Social pressure (Raj & Wiltermuth, 2016) and fear of reoccurrence of transgressions and bad intentions of transgressors (Martinez-Diaz et al, 2021) have been suggested to lower forgiveness. Past similar experiences of transgressions are also found to hinder forgiveness (Cao et al, 2021).…”

Conversations with God: How Are Religion and Spirituality Used to Make Sense of Forgiveness?

“…What usually makes forgiveness so difficult is the stress and emotional turmoil it causes, which one needs to manage somehow (Martinez-Diaz et al, 2021 ; Toussaint et al, 2020 , p. 186). Indeed, unforgiveness has been defined as a stress reaction (Worthington & Scherer, 2004 ).…”

“…Considering an offender compassionately may be slightly cognitively demanding (Will et al, 2015 ; Witvliet et al, 2015 ). The offender’s post-transgression behaviour affects the likelihood of revenge and forgiveness (Martinez-Diaz et al, 2021 ). One may need time to move from unforgiveness to forgiveness (Williamson et al, 2014 ).…”