True and hollow forgiveness, forgiveness motives, and conflict resolution

Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this study is to explore the motivational process behind two types of forgiveness – i.e. true and hollow forgiveness. It is predicted that victims who engage in true forgiving behavior will have stronger relationship‐oriented motives than either those who engage in hollow forgiving behavior or those who do not engage in forgiving behavior. Furthermore, the authors seek to explore the relationship between true and hollow forgiveness and conflict resolution strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, participants were asked to recall personal experiences of being harmed, and they rated the events in terms of forgiveness, motives of forgiveness, resolutions strategies, and satisfaction with outcome. In Study 2, participants were presented with scenarios depicting individuals who were victimized, and were asked to read the scenarios, imagining themselves as the victim. Following this forgiveness, motives of forgiveness, resolution strategies, and satisfaction with outcome were measured.

Findings

Consistent with the predictions, participants classified as being true forgivers were motivated by relationship‐oriented motives. These individuals preferred a collaborative conflict resolution strategy, and tended to be satisfied with the outcome of the conflict. In contrast, participants classified as being hollow forgivers were motivated by self‐oriented reasons, and they preferred avoidance as a conflict resolution strategy. In addition, these individuals were less satisfied with the outcome of the conflict than were the true forgivers.

Originality/value

These findings suggest that perceptions of the conflict resolution process depend on the type of forgiveness.

Citation

Takada, N. and Ohbuchi, K. (2013), "True and hollow forgiveness, forgiveness motives, and conflict resolution", International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 184-200. https://doi.org/10.1108/10444061311316799