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Forgiveness and Flourishingat the Intersection ofSpirituality and Science
Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet, Ph.D.
15 years ago:
The JTF issued a Request for Proposals on the
Scientific Study of the Subject of Forgiveness
Output
Has the Templeton RFP beenassociated with a significant rise inscholarly output on forgiveness?
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PsycINFO database publications on forgiveness
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Cumulative 3043 results
PsycINFO forgiv* Articles: Peer-Reviewed & Research Methodology
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Work that connects forgiveness toother values and virtues
Love
Humility
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Outcomes
Has the Templeton RFP beenassociated with a significant rise inavailable forgiveness resources?
Largest Worldwide Library Catalog -
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Percent of words in allelectronically searchable books:
forgive
Search in Google
Templeton RFP
Outcomes
Has the Templeton RFP beenassociated with work thattranscends boundaries?
International Forgiveness Research
Examples
Arab Israeli adolescents in Israel
Iranian marriages
Iraqi refugees
Lebanese Muslims and Christians, andFrench Christians
Work in China, Cyprus, Portugal, France,Nepal, Northern Ireland, Philippines,Rwanda.
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Interdisciplinary Scholarship
Theology
Philosophy Political Science
Psychological science
Psychology and counseling professions
Medicine
Impact
Is the topic of forgivenessmore
present in the public square?
Newspaper Sources
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Impact
Is forgivenessmore widely addressed in thepublic square as a positive
virtue?
*Funded by JTF & Fetzer Institute*Funded by Fetzer Institute
The rise of documentaries
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Fetzer funded PBS Stations &Community Agency Partnerships;Classroom Conversation Guides,Podcasts, Library Partnerships
*Funded by Fetzer Institute*Funded by JTF & Fetzer Institute
Impact
Has the Templeton RFP beenassociated with a shift in the
cultural content of conversationsabout forgiveness?
Pre-1997 RFP:religious conversations
Your faith calls you to forgive. How do youdo that?
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Pre-1997 RFP:
religious conversationsYour faith calls you to forgive. How do you do that?
- resist hate, bitterness, revenge-seeking
- let it go
- turn it over to God
- reconcile
- emphasize mercy, not justice
Cultural criticism: forgive = doormat
People who forgive lack self-respect, good judgment,control, and put themselves at risk of harm.
Pre-Post shifts in Cultural
Conversations
From forgive & forget
TO forgive & rememberremember truthfully andwith the desire for the offender to be positively transformed
From either justice or forgivenessTO both justice and forgiveness
From forgiveness makes you a doormatTO genuine forgiveness is a sign of strength
From forgiveness is for religious peopleTO forgiveness is for anyone
Pre-Post shifts in CulturalConversations
From forgiveness is spiritual
TO forgiveness is spiritual and physically embodied
From forgiveness is for the benefit of the offender (religious)
TO forgiveness benefits the one forgiven, the forgiver, and others
From forgiveness is for the benefit of the self (secular)
TO forgiveness benefits the one forgiven, the forgiver, and others
From forgiveness and reconciliation
TO forgiveness even when reconciliation is not possible, safe, orwise
Pre-Post shifts in CulturalConversations
From forgiveness means going back to the way things wereTO forgiveness creates a new future that integrates the past
From Divine forgiveness and interpersonal forgivenessTO Divine forgiveness, interpersonal forgiveness, self-
forgiveness, and resolving anger with God
From forgiveness is a responseTO forgiveness is a response and can be a personality trait
From seeing forgiveness as one thing
TO seeing forgiveness as multifaceted, in context
Features of forgiveness
Forgiveness is a moral response to relational injustice
Forgiveness overcomes hostility, avoidance, andresponses that diminish the offender
AND forgiveness gives goodwill, compassion, lovethat seeks the offenders positive transformation
WHILE holding the offender responsible (justice)
AND forgiveness can be genuine even ifreconciliation is not possible, safe, or wise
What spiritual progress has beenmade?
Forgiveness can promotes human flourishing
Forgiveness can saves lives
Forgiveness can contribute to relational repair
Forgiveness can positively affects otherrelationships
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Important investigations for
forgiveness and spiritual progress
Top research articles since the JTF RFP bycitation impact:
Top cited empirical research
papers (since JTF initiative)
1) McCullough, M. E., Rachal, K. C., Sandage, S. J.,
Worthington, E. L., Brown, S. W., & Hight, T. L. (1998).Interpersonal forgiving in close relationships: II. Theoreticalelaboration and measurement. Journal of Personality andSocial Psychology, 75(6), 1586-1603.
407 other PsycINFO sources cite this
Developed the TRIM, a measure of unforgiveness (revengeand avoidance), later adapted to also measure forgiveness(benevolence).
Significant roles of empathy, rumination, apology, and priorrelationship closeness
Top cited empirical researchpapers (since JTF initiative)
2) Aquino, K., Tripp, T. M., & Bies, R. J. (2006). Getting even ormoving on? Power, procedural justice, and types of offenseas predictors of revenge, forgiveness, reconciliation, andavoidance in organizations. Journal of Applied Psychology,91(3), 653-668.
381 other PsycINFO sources cite this
Emphasis on justice as important for limiting revenge andpromoting forgiveness in high status workers.
Top cited empirical researchpapers (since JTF initiative)
3) Witvliet, C. V. O., Ludwig, T. E., & Vander Laan, K. L. (2001).Granting forgiveness or harboring grudges: Implications foremotion, physiology, and health. Psychological Science,12(2), 117-123.
223 other PsycINFO sources cite this
Forgiveness factors are embodied in physiological reactions.
Constructs of rumination, revenge, empathy, and forgivenessas both letting go of the negative and as giving goodwill.
Experimental methodology: reliable differences between
unforgiving and forgiving responses; and across verbal andphysical variables: blood pressure, heart rate, sweat, facialmuscles
Top cited empirical researchpapers (since JTF initiative)
4) Finkel, E. J., Rusbult, C. E., Kumashiro, M., & Hannon, P. A.(2002). Dealing with betrayal in close relationships: Doescommitment promote forgiveness? Journal of Personalityand Social Psychology, 82(6), 956-974.
188 other PsycINFO sources cite this
Significant role of relationship commitment (not self-orientation)
Top cited research papers(since JTF initiative)
5) McCullough, M. E., Bellah, C. G., Kilpatrick, S. D., &Johnson, J. L. (2001). Vengefulness: Relationships withforgiveness, rumination, well-being, and the big five.
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27(5), 601-610.
181 other PsycINFO sources cite this
Personality variables important (especially agreeableness,also neuroticism)
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Important development in research
forgiveness
from descriptive to experimental research
from cross-sectional to longitudinal follow-up
from novel findings to replicated results
from qualitative summaries to meta-analyses
Key Research Studies:
Meta-Analyses
Wade, Worthington, & Meyer (2005). But do theywork? A meta-analysis of group interventions topromote forgiveness. (Handbook of forgiveness)
Effective transformation:
*explicit focus on forgiveness (not general)
*role of empathy for transgressor
*theoretically grounded, full interventions (not partial)
*time spent matters: 4-6 hours of forgivenessintervention (dose-response relationship)
Key Research Studies
Baskin, T. W., & Enright, R. D. (2004). Interventionstudies on forgiveness: A meta-analysis. Journalof Counseling & Development, 82(1), 79-90.
decision-based interventions: not effective,
process-based group interventions: significant effects,
process-based individual interventions: significant andlarge effects.
Key Research Studies
Lundahl, B. W., Taylor, M. J., Stevenson, R., & Roberts,K. D. (2008). Process-based forgiveness interventions:A meta-analytic review. Research on Social WorkPractice, 18(5), 465-478.
forgiveness interventions (vs. comparison group)
* increase forgiveness,
* increased positive affect, self-esteem
* decreased negative affect
* individual interventions superior to group interventions.
Key Research Studies
Fehr, R., Gelfand, M. J., & Nag, M. (2010).The road to forgiveness: A meta-analyticsynthesis of its situational and dispositionalcorrelates. Psychological Bulletin, 136(5),
894-914.
Cognitive
Affective
Constraints
Key Research Studies
Fehr, R., Gelfand, M. J., & Nag, M. (2010). The road toforgiveness: A meta-analytic synthesis of its situational anddispositional correlates. Psychological Bulletin, 136(5), 894-914.
No significant relationship to forgiveness:positive mood, self-esteem, gender, time since offense
Very small effects:social desireability, age
Small effects:severity of the harm, relationship closeness, relationshipcommitment, negative mood, depression, neuroticpersonality, angry personality, empathic personality,general religiosity
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Key Research Studies
Fehr, R., Gelfand, M. J., & Nag, M. (2010). The road toforgiveness: A meta-analytic synthesis of its situational and
dispositional correlates. Psychological Bulletin, 136(5), 894-914.
Cognitive
-Medium effects:transgressors intent, apology, responsibility
victims satisfaction in the relationship with the transgressor
victims rumination
Affective
-Medium Effect: victims state anger
-Strong Effect: victims state empathy for the offender
Key Research Studies
What about religious factors?
Fehr et al. (2010) in Psychological BulletinWhen general religiosity is aggregated, it has a small yetreliable effect
Wade et al. (2008) in Journal of Psychology and Christianity
Religious commitment (for Christians only) predicted traitforgivingness, which mediated the relationship with lowerrumination, lower revenge.
Lambert, Fincham, Stillman, Graham, & Beach (2010) inPsychological Science Praying for a relationship partnerfacilitated forgiving that partner.
Key Research Studies
Example of Longitudinal Research Braithwaite, S.R., Selby, E.A., & Fincham, F.D. (2011).
Forgiveness and relationship satisfaction: Mediatingmechanism. Journal of Family Psychology, 25, 551-559.
Forgiveness predicted relationship self-regulationand low negative interpersonal tactics, and thesepredicted relationship satisfaction.
Note: several studies show that in negativerelationships, forgiveness can be associated with anincrease in later mistreatment. Justice matters.
Important investigation of my own
Witvliet, C. V.O., Knoll, R. W., Hinman, N. G., & DeYoung,P. A. (2010).
Compassion-focused reappraisal, benefit-focusedreappraisal, and rumination after an interpersonal offense:Emotion-regulation implications for subjective emotion,linguistic responses, and physiology.
The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(3), 226-242.
Offense RuminationMental rehearsal focused on the offender, the
hurtful offense, and its consequences.
Compared to Offense Reappraisal
Remains focused on the offense, but with a newperspective
Compassion Focus other-oriented, focused on giving
Benefits Focus self-oriented, focused on receiving
Offense Reappraisal
Reappraisal remains focused on the offense, butwith a new perspective
Compassion Focus
other-oriented, focused on giving
Benefits Focus
self-oriented, focused on receiving
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Compassion-Focused Reappraisal
focus on the humanity of the offender,
see transgression as evidence of the offendersclear need for positive transformation,and genuinely wish him or her well.
Does not overlook or minimize the offense.
Benefit-Focused Reappraisal
focus on insights gained, strengths shown, orlessons learned through the difficult experience
Is not masochistic, and does not overlook the costs.
Experiment
Participants 38 Females, 33 Males
Within-subjects repeated measures design
Every participant completed every condition
Participants randomly assigned to one of two
condition orders
Both Compassion-Focused and Benefit-Focused
Reappraisals Reduced Arousal and Negative Emotion
Compared to Offense Rumination
1
2
3
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6
7
Arousal Anger Sadness
Average
R
atings
(1-7
Scale)
Of f ens e C Comp as sio n- Fo cus Of f en se B Bene fit -Foc us
Both Compassion-Focused and Benefit-Focused Reappraisal
Increased Positive Emotion Compared to Offense Rumination
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Neg/Pos Valence Happiness Joy Peace Control
AverageRatings(1-7Scale)
O ff en se ( C) C om pa ss io n- Fo cu s O ff en se ( B) B en efi t- Fo cu s
Both Compassion-Focused and Benefit-Focused Reappraisal
Increased Prosocial and Moral Emotions
Compared to Offense Rumination
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
E mpathy E moti onal Forgiveness Grati tude
AverageRatings(1-7S
cale
Offense (C) Compassion-Focus Offense (B) Benefi t -Focus
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Compassion and Benefit-Focused Reappraisal
Decreased Negative Language Compared to Offense
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10
Negative
Emotion
Anxiety Anger Sadness Costs
AverageWordCount
Offense (C)
Compassion-Focus
Offense (B)
Benefit-Focus
Compassion-Focused and Benefit-Focused Reappraisals
Increased Positive Language Compared to Offense
0
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8
10
12
Positive Emotion Insight Forgiveness Benefits
AverageWordCount
Offense (C)
Compassion-Focus
Offense (B)
Benefit-Focus
*
*
Social Words: Compassion-Focused Reappraisal Increased
and Benefit-Focus Decreased Them
0
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16
Social Words
AverageWordCount
Offense (C)
Compassion
Offense (B)
Benefit-Finding
*
*
Both Positive Reappraisals Calmed Corrugator (Brow) EMG
0.000
0.500
1.000
1.500
2.000
2.500
Offense (C) Compassion Offense (B) Benefit-Focus
uVChangefromP
retrialBaseline
***
*
Compassion-Focused Reappraisal Calmed Orbicularis Oculi (Under Eye)EMG
0.000
0.200
0.400
0.600
0.800
1.000
1.200
1.400
1.600
1.800
2.000
Offense (C) Compassion Offense (B) Benefit-Focus
uVChangefromP
retrialBaseline
*
Only Benefit-Focused Reappraisal Increased Zygomatic EMG (Smiling)
0.000
0.050
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
0.300
0.350
0.400
Offense (C) Compassion Offense (B) Benefit-Focus
uVChangefromP
retrialBaseline
*
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Only Compassion-Focused Reappraisal Calmed the Cardiac Cycle
(R-R Intervals, inverted)
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
Offense (C) Compassion Of fense (B) Benef it -FocusmsChangefromP
retrialBaseline(Inv
erted)
**
Only Benefit-Focused ReappraisalImproved Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity
-600
-500
-400
-300
-200
-100
0
100
200
ms
2C
hangefromP
retrialBaseline
***
O ffense (C) Com passion O ffense (B) Benefit-Focus
Compared to rumination
Both Compassion-Focused and Benefit-Focused Reappraisals:
decreased negative emotions
Ratings
Writing
Facial brow muscle
increased positive, moral emotions
Ratings Writing
Compassion unique effects
stimulated the highest empathy ratings
prompted the most forgiving and sociallanguage
calmed eye muscle (orbicularis oculi)
EMG
calmed cardiac R-R intervals
Benefit-Focus unique effects
highest gratitude and joy ratings
highest gratitude language
reduced social language increased zygomaticsmile EMG at the cheek
activated the parasympathetic nervoussystem
and
Compassion-focused reappraisal promoted forgiveness,and also gratitude.
Benefit-focused reappraisal promoted gratitude,and also forgiveness.
Both reappraisal strategies are positive antidotes torumination
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Spiritual foundations
Biblical Texts
Worship
Theology
While forgiveness ends redemptively, it begins with thefrank acknowledgment of relational brokenness--andthus resists sentimental ways of ignoring or sugar-coating this reality
Psalm 51
1 Have pity on me, O God, in keeping with your mercy.In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my guilt,and cleanse me from my sin.
3 I admi t that I am rebell ious.My sin is always in front of me.
4 I have sinned against you, especially you.I have done what you consider evil.
So you hand down justice when you speak,
and you are blameless when you judge.
10 Create a clean heart in me, O God,and renew a faithful spirit within me.
11 Do not force me away from your presence,and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience.
13 Then I will teach your ways to those who are rebellious,and sinners will return to you.
14 Rescue me from the guilt of murder,O God, my savior.
Let my tongue sing joyfully about your righteousness!15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will tell about your praise.16 You are not happy with any sacrifice.
Otherwise, I would offer one to you.You are not pleased with burnt offerings.17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.
Ephesians 4:32 ~ Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving eachother, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13 ~ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances youmay have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Matthew 18: 21-22 ~ Then Peter came and said to him, Lord, if another memberof the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seventimes? Jesus said to him, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
Worship
Baptism
Communion
The Lords Prayer
Confession & Assurance of Pardon
Justice and forgiveness are both rooted inGods character of love.
Themes that promote forgiveness:
-Seeing people as bearing the image of God
-Seeing our need for forgiveness
Forgivenessa Jewish perspective
Louis Newman, Ph.D., the Musser Professor of Religious Studies,
Director, Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching, Carleton College
View 1 = Justice Primary in legalistic forgiveness If offender takes appropriate steps (e.g., payment of damages) and explicitly
asks for forgiveness (ordinarily 3x), then forgiveness is a required response. Sees unconditional forgiveness as undermining the repentance of transgressor(Note: research by Finkel, Luchies, McNulty in this vein)
View 2 Mercy Primary in visionary forgiveness Forgiveness offered freely, unconditionally, generously, emphasis on
compassion, role of prayer Imitatio Dei we imitate God, agents of Gods love and compassion in the world,
humility in morality and mortality Meets offender half way in granting a gift that invites the offender into a different
moral realm
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Forgivenessa Muslim perspective
Anas Malik, Ph.D., Political Science, Assoc. Prof. at Xavier University
Normative teachings in Islam: Divine is All-Merciful, Giver of Mercy, Forgiving One, the Kind The believing Muslim is to reflect Divine attributes
Muslim Christian A Common Word Between Uswww.acommonword.com People of the Book, Abrahamic traditions Consensus letter from Muslim scholars to Christian leaders, with
responses Path-breaking, reset, signals trust-building *Love God *Love your neighbor Move from document to social practices of peace and harmony based
on these commandments
Future Spiritual Progress:
Build on momentum for the deep work of forgiveness thatbuilds enduring shalom
-overcome the egoistic, superficial, individualistic versions-forgiveness is moral response to relational injustice-realize that affective, mental health, and physiologicalbenefits are side-effects of forgiveness
Future Spiritual Progress:
Focus on the relational role of interpersonal forgiveness --develop more sophisticated research paradigms to studyboth parties
Research with understudied populations:children, cognitively impaired, best practices in educationalsettings
Increased focus on understanding the offender role andpromoting deep transformation
Integrating work on forgiveness-seeking, confession,apology, restitution, repentance
Develop work on how to receive forgiveness graciously
Future Spiritual Progress:
Practice: Identify best people in each tradition andprofession to train clergy, spiritual directors, and counselorsin
the vital roles of justice and compassion, of repentanceand reconciliation
effective interventions that transform hearts, minds,relationships