Forgiveness
Intentional process of overcoming resentment toward an offender.
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Forgiveness, as understood in psychology, is a deliberate and voluntary process. It involves a person who has been hurt or wronged consciously shifting their feelings and mindset toward the one who caused the harm, moving past the offense's effects—including resentment or a wish for revenge. Experts disagree on whether forgiveness must also involve replacing negative emotions with positive ones, like greater tolerance for the offender, or if it requires making peace with them. Different people and cultures interpret forgiveness in various ways. As both a psychological idea and a virtue, its moral duty and potential benefits have been studied within religion, philosophy, social sciences, and medicine.
Forgiveness is not the same as condoning—where an action is seen as harmful but overlooked out of charity—nor is it excusing or pardoning, which simply releases the offender from responsibility. It also differs from forgetting, which tries to erase the memory of the offense. Some schools of thought view forgiveness as a personal, voluntary effort to transform one's own side of a relationship, restoring inner peace and, ideally, what psychologist Carl Rogers called "unconditional positive regard" toward the other person. In many cases, forgiveness is given without expecting any form of restorative justice, and it can be offered even if the offender never responds—for instance, if they are unreachable or deceased. However, in practice, the wronged person may feel able to forgive only after the offender offers some acknowledgment, like an apology, or explicitly asks for it.
Researchers have not reached a single definition of forgiveness, but they agree it is a process. Several models describe how it unfolds, including one from a radical behavioral perspective. One model, developed by Dr. Robert Enright, outlines a 20-step process: the victim examines the wrong suffered, who caused it, and the context; considers their anger, shame, or guilt and how the offense affected them; decides whether to move toward forgiveness; then works on understanding, compassion, and acceptance, possibly making a reconciliatory gesture. Finally, they reframe their memory of the experience and integrate forgiveness healthily into their life story. A long-term study found that people who were generally more neurotic, angry, or hostile were less likely to forgive others and more likely to
- field
- Psychology, Philosophy, Religion
- known_for
- Process of overcoming resentment and negative emotions toward an offender
- key_researchers
- Dr. Robert Enright, Dr. Fred Luskin, Benoit Guillou
- related_concepts
- Condoning, excusing, pardoning, forgetting, reconciliation, accountability
Lore & Background
Forgiveness is distinct from condoning, excusing, pardoning, or forgetting. It involves a personal and voluntary effort toward self-transformation, potentially restoring peace and unconditional positive regard toward the other. Forgiveness can be granted without expectation of restorative justice or any response from the offender, though acknowledgment or apology may help the wronged person feel able to forgive. As of 2006, there was no consensus for a psychological definition of forgiveness in research literature, though agreement exists that it is a process. Dr. Robert Enright developed a 20-Step Process Model of Forgiveness, which includes examining the wrong, considering anger and shame, deciding to forgive, working on understanding and compassion, and reformulating the memory of the experience. A longitudinal study showed that people who were more neurotic, angry, and hostile were less likely to forgive and more likely to avoid or seek revenge. Studies indicate that forgiving people are happier and healthier, with improved cardiovascular and nervous system functioning and fewer illnesses. Dr. Fred Luskin presented evidence that forgiveness can be learned and has positive health effects, including reduced anger, hurt, stress, and increased optimism, compassion, and self-confidence. In Rwanda, sociologist Benoit Guillou highlighted the extensive meanings of forgiveness and its political nature, presenting four primary aspects to aid comprehension.
Reader's Guide
Forgiveness holds significance across psychology, philosophy, and religion. It is a process that can improve mental and physical health, as shown by studies linking forgiveness to reduced stress, better cardiovascular function, and fewer illnesses. The concept is debated: theorists disagree on whether forgiveness requires positive attitudes or reconciliation. Forgiveness is not the same as condoning, excusing, pardoning, forgetting, or minimizing harm; it focuses on dealing with resentment rather than suppressing anger. Emotional forgiveness is generally considered for the benefit of the victim, not the offender, unless the victim chooses to involve the offender. Forgiveness takes time, and premature efforts may be counterproductive. In Judaism, forgiveness is encouraged after sincere apology, but murder is unforgivable unless the victim forgave before death. Philosophers Joseph Butler and P. F. Strawson addressed forgiveness as overcoming resentment and as a moral subject. The entry preserves the article's uncertainties and disputes, such as the lack of consensus on definition and the debated role of positive attitudes.
Did You Know?
- Forgiveness does not require reconciliation with the offender.
- A longitudinal study found that people who are more neurotic, angry, and hostile are less likely to forgive.
- Dr. Fred Luskin's studies showed that teaching forgiveness reduces stress and increases vitality.
- In Judaism, murder is unforgivable unless the victim forgave the perpetrator before death.
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