Forgiveness and personality traits

Forgiveness and Personality

The impact that personality has on the ability to forgive has been a topic of much debate for many years. Many experts believe that certain personality traits can make an individual more susceptible to forgiveness. The purpose of this discussion is to examine whether or not any personality seems to be more forgiving of self and others than other personalities. The investigation will also explore the type of research that has been done and what is currently being studied in this subject area. We will begin our discussion with a brief summary concerning the importance and definition of forgiveness.

Importance of Forgiveness

According to the Journal of Mental Health Counseling, Forgiveness plays an important role in ensuring the mental stability of individuals. The journal reports that people that practice forgivenss are able to improve their well being and have more meaningful interpersonal relationships. Much of the scientific literature pertaining to the subject of forgiveness indicates that practicing forgiveness can result in less guilt, anxiety, anger and remorse of fear. (Harrington et al. 2000) Harrington et al. (2000) also reports, that the positive impact of forgiveness can be found amongst large and diverse populations that contain everyone from incest survivors to the families of individuals that have been murdered. (Harrington et al. 2000)

Harrington et al. (2000) also explain the definition of forgiveness asserting that it involves, "two people, one of whom has received a deep and long-lasting injury that is either psychological, emotional, physical, or moral in nature. [Forgiveness is] an inner process by which the person who has been injured releases himself or herself from the anger, resentment, and fear that are felt and does not wish for revenge." (Harrington et al. 2000)

The authors also describe forgiveness as a process that produces results over time. The journal asserts that over a period of time the individual that has been injured experiences less anger and resentment towards the person that caused the injury. (Harrington et al. 2000) An article in the journal, Counseling and Values explains that forgiveness is not synonymous with forgetting, denying the injury or condoning the offense. (Chernoff et al. 2001) The idea of whether or not the victim has to feel love towards the perpetrator so that forgiveness can take place is still up for debate. (Harrington et al. 2000)

The journal also explains that there are four models of forgiveness, which include; "(1) models based on psychological theories; (2) process models (the most prevalent) describing psychological tasks involved in the act of forgiving over a period of time; (3) models based on a moral development framework; and (4) typologies of forgiveness." (Harrington et al. 2000)

As you can see forgiveness is a complex and somewhat complicated process. An individual's ability to forgive can be dependent upon a number of factors. For the purposes of this discussion we will concentrate on those factors that are dependent upon personality traits. We will explore the various studies that have been conducted in reference to forgiveness and personality types. In addition we will attempt to explain why these traits predispose people to practice forgiveness.

Forgiveness and Personality (Current Studies) great deal of the research has been conducted related to the correlation between personality traits and forgiveness. According to an article in, Current Directions in Psychological Science, these studies have made both negative and positive correlations between personality types and forgiveness. The article asserts that the personality types that are most susceptible to forgiveness include agreeableness, emotional stability, and religiousness. Wade and Worthington (2003) agree with this assessment and also explain the personality traits that lead to unforgiveness. The article asserts,

Dispositional traits, such as religiosity (McCullough et al., 1998; Worthington, Berry, & Parrott, 2001), trait empathy (Thoresen, Harris, & Luskin, 2000), agreeableness (McCullough & Worthington, 2000), and dispositional forgivingness (Berry & Worthington, 2001; Berry, Worthington, Parrott, O'Connor, & Wade, 2001), were theorized to relate to willingness to forgive transgressions across situations (Worthington & Wade, 1999). Trait anger (Spielberger, Jacobs, Russell, & Crane, 1983), shame-proneness (Tangney, 1995), and attachment style were hypothesized to be related to degrees of unforgiveness and forgiveness of a specific transgression." (Wade and Worthington 2003)

Over the next few paragraphs we will attempt to explain what makes people who are agreeable (empathic), emotionally stable and religious more likely to forgive their transgressors. We will explore the findings of several studies which have explored these topics. Our review will attempt to define and elaborate upon these personality types and their predisposition for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Agreeableness: Empathy and Altruism

Agreeableness (empathy) is one of the most researched areas of personality and the impact that it has on forgiveness. In fact, McCullough (2001) contends that people with agreeable personality traits display such characteristics as altruism, care, generosity and empathy.

These personality traits make it easier for these individuals to forgive those that have caused them injury.

The McCullough (2001) article explains that,

Highly agreeable people tend to thrive in the interpersonal realm and experience less conflict in relationships than less agreeable people do. Trait theorists and researchers have long been aware that agreeable people typically are rated highly on descriptors such as "forgiving" and low on descriptors such as "vengeful."

Research specifically on the disposition to forgive has also confirmed the agreeableness-forgiveness association." (McCullough 2001)

McCullough (2001) also asserts that agreeable people are more likely to be kind to people that have been rude to them. Agreeable personalities also tend to have higher moral standards. (McCullough 2001) Additionally, they also tend to be less exploitive than individuals that are not forgiving. (McCullough 2001)

Researchers have long asserted that the altruism and empathy traits that are displayed by agreeable people play a large role in their ability to forgive. McCullough et al. (1997), further asserts that empathy results in a motivation to care for others. The McCullough et al. (1997) article discusses forgiveness as it pertains to close relationships.

The researchers found that.

In the same way that empathy can facilitate caring for a person in need who was previously unknown to the actor, the emergence of empathy for an offending relationship partner can elicit the offended partner's capacity to care for the needs of the offending partner. In the context of a close relationship that has been damaged by the hurtful actions of one relationship partner, this empathy-elicited caring may be directed at three foci. First, empathy may cause the offended partner to care that the offending partner is experiencing guilt and distress over how his or her actions hurt the offended partner and damaged their relationship (Baumeister, Stillwell, & Heatherton, 1994). Second, empathy may cause the offended partner to care that the offending partner feels isolated or lonely because of their estranged relationship. Third, and perhaps most directly, empathy for the offending relationship partner may simply lead the offended relationship partner to care for restoring the breached relationship with the offending partner. In other words, empathy may lead to a yearning for restored positive contact with the offender." (McCullough et al. 1997)

These three reactions have the effect of lessening the impact of a harmful action making it less likely that the injured party will seek revenge. It also lessens the possibility that the parties involved will become estranged. (McCullough et al. 1997) If the injured party has an empathetic attitude they are more likely to attempt to reconcile the situation and be more understanding towards the offending partner. (McCullough et al. 1997)

Chernoff et al. 2001 discusses empathy and forgiveness as it relates to guilt prone individuals. The authors suggest,

Guilt-prone individuals...adopt more proactive and constructive strategies for managing anger (Baumeister, Stillwell, & Heatherton, 1994; Tangney, 1991, 1995; Tangney et al., 1999). They are more likely to engage in constructive behaviors, such as nonhostile discussion with the target of their anger and in empathic connection (Tangney, 1994). According to Tangney et al. (1999), forgiveness of others is positively correlated with other-oriented empathy and an adaptive guilt-prone style. Individuals more inclined to forgive are less prone to problematic shame reactions and "self-oriented" empathic distress." (Chernoff et al. 2001)

Chernoff et al. (2001) discusses a study in which the participants were 148 graduate students from a large urban college. The participants were given the Enright Forgiveness Inventory which is a 60 item scale that is designed to measure the degree to which a person can forgive an offender. (Chernoff et al. 2001) The participants had to recall an event that hurt them deeply and rate it on a scale of 1 to 10. (Chernoff et al. 2001) The researchers explained that the event had to be at least a 7 on the scale and that 10 represented the most severe hurt. (Chernoff et al. 2001)

The study revealed that, "Individuals who scored high in Empathetic Concern and Perspective Taking also scored high in their ability to forgive. Empathy for the perpetrator was significant in fostering constructive relationship-restoring responses, in contrast to engagement in destructive retaliatory behavior." (Chernoff et al. 2001)

McCullough et al. (1997) also contends that forgiveness is not only dependent upon personality, but also the relationship factors and the nature of the offense. (McCullough et al. 1997)

These factors also influence whether or not the offended party will develop empathetic feelings at all. (McCullough et al. 1997) The article gives an example of this and states that, the offended partner's dispositional empathy (e.g.,Davis, 1980) appears be weakly related to the degree to which people forgive relationship partners who have hurt them (Rhode,1990). However, global personality factors such as dispositional empathy might be weak determinants of forgiving (cf. Rt~sbult et al., 1991), because they must be translated into empathy for a specific person in a specific situation. Thus situational and relationship factors could be more important determinants of whether and how empathy develops. The severity of the offense and the degree to which the offender apologizes for his or her behavior, for example, might be crucial." (McCullough et al. 1997)

McCullough et al. (1997) insist that various relationship factors can influence the capacity that an individual has to be empathetic. The article asserts that regardless of how empathy forms, once it exist at a certain level it has the ability to overshadow the injury that has been caused and allows the individual to forgive. (McCullough et al. 1997)

As you can see empathetic people are literally compelled to forgive because of the atmosphere that empathy creates. Agreeableness is the key to being able to forgive and reconcile the situation without further damage. If a person has an agreeable personality they are also more likely to be empathetic and have the ability to forgive.

Emotionally Stable

Another personality group that tends to have a disposition towards forgiveness is the emotionally stable. McCullough (2001) contends that people that are emotionally stable have a decreased vulnerability to experiences of negative emotions. (McCullough 2001) The article also asserts that emotionally stable personalities are usually less sensitive and are less likely to have mood swings. (McCullough 2001)

In other words people that are emotionally stable are less likely to be offended in the first place; they tend not to take things personally. Therefore if someone is rude to them or does injury to them they are less likely to internalize the offense. Instead, they will tend to believe that the offender is behaving in a rude fashion because there is something wrong with the offender not because there is something wrong with them. Because of this reaction the person that is emotionally stable is more willing to forgive and can actively practice forgiveness.

The odd thing about emotional stability is that the more forgiving you are the more emotionally stable you become. As we mentioned previously people that are forgiving have less anger, and anxiety. A decrease in these attributes increase the ability to function and increase emotional stability.

Religion and spirituality

The correlation between religion and forgiveness has also been well researched. The connection is a simple one to make; many religions teach that forgiveness is essential to eternal life. Therefore, people that practice religion on a consistent basis are also more likely to practice forgiveness.

Research always suggested that religiousness and spirituality play a role in the disposition to forgive. (Emmons and Paloutzian 2003)

Many experts believe that the very nature of some religious beliefs make people with religious personalities more forgiving. An article found in the journal, Annual Review of Psychology asserts that forgiveness has always been at the center of theological and philosophical debate. (Emmons and Paloutzian 2003)

Emmons and Paloutzian (2003), also asserts that spiritual transcendence plays a large role in the ability that individuals have to forgive. The article defines spiritual transcendence as "the capacity of individuals to stand outside of their immediate sense of time and place and to view life from a larger, more objective perspective. This transcendent perspective is one in which a person sees a fundamental unity underlying the diverse strivings of nature."(Emmons and Paloutzian 2003)

This simply means that religious or spiritual people have the ability to view events in terms what those events will mean in the future. These individuals want to forgive because they know that in the future they will be held accountable for their unwillingness to forgive. If they fear the punishment that will come they are more willing to forgive.

One comprehensive study of Religiousness and personality is published in the Review of Religious Research. This particular study investigated the issues that make up the concept of forgiveness, and observed the correlation between these issues and related religious variables. (Gorsuch and Hao 1993)

This study and others found that those that study Christianity in particular are more likely to practice forgiveness. The studies have found that those that attend Christian churches on a regular basis and believe that the religion should be incorporated into everyday life are more willing to forgive others. Gorsuch and Hao (1993) assert that the correlation between Christianity and forgiveness is related to the teachings of Jesus Christ which insist that forgiveness must be practiced if one is to enter heaven. Christians believe that Jesus has forgiven them and that they now have an obligation to forgive others. (Gorsuch and Hao 1993)

This aspect of our investigation demonstrates that religion and spirituality can be a predisposition for forgiveness. The nature of religion teaches forgiveness and reconciliation and justifies these practices. Many religions also hold individual accountable for their failure to practice forgiveness.

Personalities and forgiveness (future studies)

Although there has been some research conducted concerning the role of personality and forgiveness there are still many avenues that have not been explored. Since we understand the personality traits that are predisposed to forgiveness and we also understand that forgiveness is essential to emotional stability, there must be a way to increase these positive personality traits. For instance, researchers could examine more closely the factors that contribute to the ability that an individual has to develop empathic feeling. We know from our research that the emotions that empathy creates can lead to a greater ability to forgive and to seek reconciliation. If researchers can discover a way to increase empathy the amount of unforgiveness will decrease resulting in a society in which people are mentally health and display less anger and anxiety.

This type of research must be conducted over a large population and should include individuals that are unlikely to practice forgiveness. In doing this, researchers can discover what can help people to become more forgiving even if they do not have personality types that are inherently forgiving. This would go a long way in improving mental health around the world.

Emmons and Paloutzian 2003, also explains that there are various ways that research into the topic could be extended. The article asserts that there is the need for a greater focus on psychological mechanisms that allow dispositionally inclined people to forgive transgressions against them, the need to examine contextualized goals and strivings (Emmons 2000) and appraisals of these goals, and the need for more sophisticated theorizing on the place of forgiveness within broader models of the person. Important clues might be gleaned from the self-regulation literature, particularly with regard to how religious ideologies that emphasize forgiveness can become translated into effective thought-action sequences and then protected from competing intentions (Emmons et al. 1993). With regard to the place of forgiveness in personality, Ashton & Lee (2001) recently posited that forgiveness/nonretaliation is one of three major traits that underlie prosocial tendencies and can account for individual differences in the major dimensions of agreeableness and emotional stability. HUMILITY Since medieval times, pride has been one of the deadly sins, and some have argued that pride is the parent of all the vices (Schimmel 1997). Humility, as the antidote to pride, is the realistic appraisal of one's strengths and weaknesses -- neither overestimating nor underestimating them." (Emmons and Paloutzian 2003)

Emmons and Paloutzian (2003) contend that a better understanding of humility and practicing humility will make people more willing to forgive if someone offends them. They assert that people are able to display humility when they understand their own weaknesses and are not so judgmental of the weaknesses that others display. They argue that empirical study of humility will lead to a greater understanding of how people can practice forgiveness. Emmons and Paloutzian (2003), contends that there is an urgency to create tools to facilitate an understanding of humility and the impact that is has on forgiveness. The article asserts that the current research is derived from research conducted about related issues and not on humility itself. They also suggest that these studies should embrace the real world consequences of humility and forgiveness. (Emmons and Paloutzian 2003)