Having the Power to Forgive: When the Experience of Power Increases Interpersonal Forgiveness

The present research examined the association between power, defined in terms of experienced control over outcomes and resources in a relationship, and interpersonal forgiveness. Based on recent findings in the literature suggesting that power is associated with goal directedness, it was hypothesize...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Personality & social psychology bulletin 2010-08, Vol.36 (8), p.1010-1023
Main Authors: Karremans, Johan C., Smith, Pamela K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Beneficence
Conflict (Psychology)
Courtship - psychology
Female
Forgiveness
Goals
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Offenses
Power
Power (Psychology)
Rumination
Self Concept
Social power
Trust
Young Adult
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Summary:The present research examined the association between power, defined in terms of experienced control over outcomes and resources in a relationship, and interpersonal forgiveness. Based on recent findings in the literature suggesting that power is associated with goal directedness, it was hypothesized that high levels of experienced power should facilitate forgiveness, in particular in relationships of strong commitment. The results of three studies, using both correlational and experimental designs, supported this prediction: Power was positively associated with forgiveness, but this effect was stronger in relationships of strong (rather than weak) commitment. This pattern of results was observed for both the inclination to forgive hypothetical offenses and actual forgiveness regarding a past offense. Study 3 provided some preliminary evidence for the role of rumination in the link between power and forgiveness. Implications of these findings for the literature on forgiveness and the literature on social power are discussed.
ISSN:0146-1672
1552-7433
DOI:10.1177/0146167210376761