403
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Complex dynamics of forgiveness: Psychological, interpersonal, and psychotherapeutic implications

Pages 82-94 | Received 07 Jul 2011, Accepted 27 Oct 2011, Published online: 08 Dec 2011

References

  • Affinito , M.G. 1999 . When to forgive , Oakland , CA : New Harbinger .
  • Akhtar , S. 1994 . Quest for answers: A primer of understanding and treating severe personality disorders . New York Jason Aronson .
  • Akhtar , S. 2002 . Forgiveness: Origins, dynamics, psychopathology, and technical relevance . Psychoanalytic Quarterly , 71 : 175 – 212 .
  • Akhtar , S. 2009 . The damaged core: Origins, dynamics, manifestations and treatment . New York Jason Aronson .
  • Baumeister , R.F. , Exline , J.J. and Sommer , K.L. 1998 . “ The victim role, grudge theory, and two dimensions of forgiveness ” . In Dimensions of forgiveness: Psychological research and theological forgiveness , Edited by: Worthington , L. 79 – 104 . Philadelphia : Templeton Foundation Press .
  • Boon , S.D. , Deveau , V.L. and Alibhai , A. M. 2009 . Payback: An exploration of the parameters of revenge in romantic relationships . Journal of Social and Personal Relationships , 26 : 747 – 768 .
  • Bovens , L. 2009 . Must I be forgiven . Analysis , 69 : 227 – 233 .
  • Campbell , J.D. , Trapnell , P.D. , Heine , S.J. , Katz , I.M. , Lavallee , L.F. and Lehman , D.R. 1996 . Self-concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates, and cultural boundaries . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 70 : 141 – 156 .
  • Chagigiorgis , H. and Paivio , S. 2008 . “ Forgiveness as an outcome in emotion-focused trauma therapy ” . In Women's perspectives on forgiveness and reconciliation: The complexities of restoring power and connection , Edited by: Malcolm , W. , De Courville , N. and Belicki , K. 121 – 141 . New York : Routledge .
  • Davidson , K. , MacGregor , M.W. , Stuhr , J. , Dixon , K. and MacLean , D. 2000 . Constructive anger verbal behavior predicts blood pressure in a population-based sample . Health Psychology , 19 : 55 – 64 .
  • DiBlasio , F. and Benda , B.B. 1991 . Practitioners, religion and the use of forgiveness in the clinical setting . Journal of Psychology and Christianity , 10 : 166 – 172 .
  • Dorff , E.N. 1998 . “ The elements of forgiveness: A Jewish approach ” . In Dimensions of forgiveness , Edited by: Worthington , E.L. Jr. 29 – 55 . Philadelphia : Templeton .
  • Enright , R.D. , Gassin , E.A. and Wu , C. 1992 . Forgiveness: A developmental view . Journal of Moral Development , 21 : 99 – 114 .
  • Enright , R.D. and Zell , R.L. 1989 . Problems encountered when we forgive one another . Journal of Psychology and Christianity , 8 : 52 – 60 .
  • Exline , J.J. and Baumeister , R.F. 2000 . “ Expressing forgiveness and repentance: Benefits and barriers ” . In Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice , Edited by: McCullough , M.E. , Pargament , K. and Thoresen , C. 133 – 155 . New York : Guilford Press .
  • Exline , J.J. , Ciarocco , N. , & Baumeister , R.F. 2001 . Forgive and regret? Misgivings in the wake of forgiveness and apology . Poster session presented at a meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology , San Antonio , Texas , USA .
  • Exline , J.J. , Worthington , E.L. Jr. , Hill , P. and McCullough , M.E. 2003 . Forgiveness and justice: A research agenda for social and personality psychology . Personality and Social Psychology Reviews , 7 : 337
  • Exline , J.J. and Zell , A.L. 2009 . Empathy, self-affirmation, and forgiveness: The moderating roles of gender and entitlement . Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology , 28 : 1071 – 1099 .
  • Federn , P. 1990 . Witnessing psychoanalysis: From Vienna back to Vienna via Buchenwald and the USA , London : Karnac .
  • Fehr , R. , Gelfand , M.J. and Monisha Nag , M. 2010 . The road to forgiveness: A meta-analytic synthesis of its situational and dispositional correlates . Psychological Bulletin , 136 : 894 – 914 .
  • Finkel , E.J. , Rusbult , C.E. , Kumashiro , M. and Hannon , P.A. 2002 . Dealing with betrayal in close relationships: Does commitment promote forgiveness? . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 82 : 956 – 974 .
  • Freud , A. 1971 . The Writings of Anna Freud. 2. The ego and the mechanisms of defense , (rev. ed.) (C. Baines, Trans.) . New York : International Universities Press .
  • Griswold , C.L. 2007 . Forgiveness: A philosophical exploration , Cambridge : Cambridge University Press .
  • Grotstein , J.S. 1985 . Splitting and projective identification , London : Jason Aronson, In .
  • Haaken , J. 2002 . “ The good, the bad, and the ugly: Psychoanalytic and cultural perspectives on forgiveness ” . In Before forgiving: Cautionary views of forgiveness in psychotherapy , Edited by: Lamb , S. and Murphy , J.G. 172 – 191 . New York : Oxford University Press .
  • Harris , A.H. S. and Thoresen , C.E. 2005 . “ Forgiveness, unforgiveness, health, and disease ” . In Handbook of forgiveness , Edited by: Worthington , E.L. Jr. 321 – 334 . New York : Routledge .
  • Hebl , J. and Enright , R.D. 1993 . Forgiveness as a psychotherapeutic goal with elderly females . Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training , 30 : 658 – 667 .
  • Heidegger , M. 1962 . Being and time (J. Macquarrie, & E. Robinson, Trans.) , San Francisco : Harper .
  • Hillman , J. 1975 . Re-visioning psychology , New York : HarperCollins .
  • Hope , D. 1987 . The healing paradox of forgiveness . Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training , 24 : 240 – 244 .
  • Horwitz , L. 2005 . The capacity to forgive: Intrapsychic and developmental perspectives . Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association , 53 : 485 – 511 .
  • Jeffress , R. 2000 . When forgiveness doesn't make sense , Colorado Springs : Waterbrook .
  • Joseph , S.M. 1997 . Presence and absence through the mirror of transference. A model of the transcendent function . Journal of Analytical Psychology , 42 : 139 – 156 .
  • Jung , C.G. 1938 . Psychology and religion , London : Yale University Press .
  • Jung , C.G. 1957 . The transcendent function (A.R. Pope, Trans.) . Zurich : Students Association, C.G. Jung Institute .
  • Karremans , J.C. , Van Lange , P.A. M. , Ouwerkerk , J.W. and Kluwer , E.S. 2003 . When forgiving enhances psychological well-being: The role of interpersonal commitment . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 84 : 1011 – 1026 .
  • Katz , J. , Street , A. and Arias , L. 1997 . Individual differences in self-appraisals and responses to dating violence scenarios . Violence and Victims , 12 : 265 – 276 .
  • Kernberg , O. 1975 . Borderline conditions and pathological narcissism , New York : Jason Aronson .
  • Kernberg , O.F. 1991 . Aggression and love in the relationship of the couple . Journal of the American Psychoanalytical Association , 39 : 486 – 511 .
  • Kernberg , O. 1995 . Love relations , New Haven : Yale University Press .
  • Koch , E.J. and Shepperd , J.A. 2004 . Is self-complexity linked to better coping? A review of the literature . Journal of Personality , 72 : 727 – 760 .
  • Kumashiro , M. , Finkel , E.J. and Rusbult , C.E. 2002 . Self-respect and pro-relationship behavior in marital relationships . Journal of Personality , 70 : 1009 – 1049 .
  • LaFarge , L. 2006 . The wish for revenge . Psychoanalytic Quarterly , 75 : 447 – 475 .
  • LaFarge , L. 2009 . The workings of forgiveness: Charles Dickens and David Copperfield . Psychoanalytic Inquiry , 29 : 362 – 373 .
  • Lamb , S. 2002 . “ Women, abuse and forgiveness: A special case ” . In Before forgiving: Cautionary views of forgiveness in psychotherapy , Edited by: Lamb , S. and Murphy , J.G. 155 – 171 . New York : Oxford University Press .
  • Lamb , S. and Murphy , J.G. 2002 . Before forgiving: Cautionary views of forgiveness in psychotherapy , Oxford : Oxford University Press .
  • Lawler , K.A. , Younger , J.W. , Piferi , R.L. , Billington , E. , Jobe , R. , Edmonson , K. and Jones , W. H. 2003 . A change of heart: Cardiovascular correlates of forgiveness in response to interpersonal conflict . Journal of Behavioral Medicine , 26 : 373 – 393 .
  • Levine , S.J. 2000 . Teshuva: A look at repentance. forgiveness and atonement in Jewish law and philosophy and American legal thought . Fordham Urban Law Journal , 27 : 1677 – 1693 .
  • Linville , P.W. 1982 . “ Affective consequences of complexity regarding the self and others ” . In Affect and cognition , Edited by: Clark , M.S. and Fiske , S.T. Hillsdale , NJ : Lawrence Erlbaum .
  • Linville , P.W. 1985 . Self-complexity and affective extremity: Don't put all your eggs in one cognitive basket . Social Cognition , 3 : 94 – 120 .
  • Linville , P.W. 1987 . Self-complexity as a cognitive buffer against stress related illness and depression . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 52 : 663 – 676 .
  • Luchies , L.B. , Finkel , E.J. , McNulty , J.K. and Kumashiro , M. 2010 . The doormat effect: When forgiving erodes self-respect and self-concept clarity . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 98 : 734 – 749 .
  • Lundahl , B.W. , Taylor , M.J. , Stevenson , R. and Roberts , K.D. 2008 . Process-based forgiveness interventions: A meta-analytic review . Research on Social Work Practice , 18 : 465 – 478 .
  • Malcolm , W. 2008 . “ The timeliness of forgiveness interventions ” . In Women's perspectives on forgiveness and reconciliation: The complexities of restoring power and connection , Edited by: Malcolm , W. , De Courville , N. and Belicki , K. 275 – 292 . New York : Routledge .
  • Martens , W.H. J. 1997 . Psychopathy and maturation . PhD thesis , Tilburg University , The Netherlands .
  • Martens , W.H. J. 2007 . A multicomponential model of authenticity . Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology , 27 : 606 – 616 .
  • Martens , W.H. J. 2009 . The role of self-complexity in reducing harmful impact of insight among schizophrenic patients. Theoretical and psychotherapeutic implications . American Journal of Psychotherapy , 63 : 53 – 68 .
  • McCullough , M.E. 2008 . Beyond revenge: The evolution of the forgiveness instinct , New York : Jossey-Bass .
  • McCullough , M.E. , Pargament , K.I. and Thoresen , C.E. 2000 . “ The psychology of forgiveness: History, conceptual issues, and overview ” . In Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice , Edited by: McCullough , M.E. , Pargament , K.I. and Thoresen , C.E. 1 – 14 . New York : Guilford Press .
  • McCullough , M.E. and Witvliet , C.V. O. 2002 . “ The psychology of forgiveness ” . In Handbook of positive psychology , Edited by: Snyder , C.R. and Lopez , S.J. 446 – 458 . London : Oxford University Press .
  • McCullough , M.E. and Worthington , E.L. Jr. 1999 . Religion and the forgiving personality . Journal of Personality , 67 : 1141 – 1164 .
  • McCullough , M.E. , Worthington , E.L. Jr. and Rachal , K.C. 1997 . Interpersonal forgiving in close relationships . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 73 : 321 – 336 .
  • McCullough , M.E. , Kurzban , R. & Tabak , B.A. 2010 . Evolved mechanisms for revenge and forgiveness . In P.R. Shaver and M. Mikulincer Understanding and reducing aggression, violence, and their consequences 221 – 239 . Washington , DC : American Psychological Association .
  • McNulty , J.K. 2008 . Forgiveness in marriage: Putting the benefits into context . Journal of Family Psychology , 22 : 171 – 175 .
  • Miller , J.C. 2004 . The transcendent function , New York : State University of New York Press .
  • Morgan , H.J. and Janoff-Bulman , R. 1994 . Positive and negative self-complexity: Patterns of adjustment following traumatic versus non-traumatic life experiences . Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology , 13 : 63 – 85 .
  • Morrison , A.P. 1989 . Shame: Underside of narcissism , Hillsdale , NJ : Analytic Press .
  • Murphy , J.G. 1988 . Forgiveness and resentment . In : Murphy , J.G. & Hampton , J. Forgiveness and mercy . Cambridge : Cambridge University Press .
  • Murphy , J.G. 2002 . “ Forgiveness in counseling: A philosophical perspective ” . In Before forgiving: Cautionary views of forgiveness in psychotherapy , Edited by: Lamb , S. and Murphy , J.G. 41 – 53 . New York : Oxford University Press .
  • Murphy , J.G. 2003 . Getting even: Forgiveness and its limits , Oxford : Oxford University Press .
  • Orcutt , H.K. 2006 . The prospective relationship of interpersonal forgiveness and psychological distress symptoms among college women . Journal of Counseling Psychology , 53 : 350 – 361 .
  • Owen , L.D. 1976 . The representation of forgiveness in Shakespeare and medieval drama . Dissertation Abstracts International: Section A. Humanities and Social Sciences , 36 : 4516
  • Rosen , I.C. 2009 . The atonement–forgiveness dyad: Identification with the aggressed . Psychoanalytic Inquiry , 29 : 411 – 425 .
  • Rusbult , C.E. , Verette , J. , Whitney , G.A. , Slovik , L.F. and Lipkus , I. 1991 . Accommodation processes in close relationships: Theory and preliminary empirical evidence . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 60 : 53 – 78 .
  • Rye , M.S. , Folck , C.D. , Heim , T.A. , Olszewski , B.T. and Traina , E. 2004 . Forgiveness of an ex-spouse: How does it relate to mental health following a divorce? . Journal of Divorce and Remarriage , 41 : 31 – 51 .
  • Rye , M.S. , Pargament , K.I. , Ali , M.A. , Beck , G.L. , Dorff , E.N. , Hallisey , C. and Williams , J.G. 2000 . “ Religious perspectives on forgiveness ” . In Forgiveness: Theory, research, and practice , Edited by: McCullough , M.E. , Pargament , K.I. and Thoresen , C.E. 17 – 40 . New York : Guilford Press .
  • Sandoval , J.M. 2009 . Forgive and remember: Forgiveness’ role in the process of individuation . Paper presented at the American Psychological Association 117th National Convention, August 2009 , Toronto , Canada .
  • Schafer , R. 2005 . Cordelia, Lear, and forgiveness . Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association , 53 : 399 – 409 .
  • Schimmel , S. 2002 . Wounds not healed by time: The power of repentance and forgiveness , New York : Oxford University Press .
  • Siassi , S. 2004 . Transcending bitterness and early paternal loss through mourning and forgiveness . Psychoanalytic Quarterly , 73 : 915 – 937 .
  • Siassi , S. 2007 . Forgiveness, acceptance and the matter of expectation . International Journal of Psychoanalysis , 88 ( Pt 6 ) : 1423 – 1440 .
  • Smedes , L.B. 1996 . Forgive and forget: Healing the hurts we don't deserve , New York : Harper & Row .
  • Smith , H.F. 2008 . Leaps of faith: Is forgiveness a useful concept? . International Journal of Psychoanalysis , 89 : 919 – 936 .
  • Steele , C.M. 1988 . The psychology of self-affirmation: Sustaining the integrity of the self . Advances in Experimental Social Psychology , 21 : 261 – 302 .
  • Steiner , J. 1993 . Psychic Retreats , London : Routledge .
  • Tangney , J.P. , Boone , A.L. , Dearing , R. , & Reinsmith , C. 2002 . Individual differences in the propensity’ to forgive: Measurement and implications for psychological and social adjustment . Unpublished manuscript Department of Philosophy Cambridge Cambridge University .
  • Toussaint , L. and Webb , J.R. 2005 . “ Theoretical and empirical connections between forgiveness, mental health, and well-being ” . In Handbook of forgiveness , Edited by: Worthington , E.L. Jr . 349 – 362 . New York : Routledge .
  • Volkan , V.D. 1991 . On chosen trauma . Mind and Human Interaction , 3 : 13
  • Volkan , V.D. 2005 . Large group identity and chosen trauma . Psychoanalysis Downunder , 6 : 1 – 14 .
  • Volkan , V.D. 2006 . “ What some monuments can tell us about mourning and forgiveness ” . In Taken wrongs seriously: Apologies and reconciliation , Edited by: Barkan , E. and Karn , A. 115 – 131 . Stanford : Stanford University Press .
  • Verbin , N. 2010 . “ What is forgiveness? ” . In A Journey through forgiveness , Edited by: Maamri , M.R. , Verbin , M. and Worthington , E.L. 3 – 10 . Oxford : Inter-Disciplinary Press .
  • Wade , N.G. and Worthington , E.L. 2003 . Overcoming interpersonal offenses: Is forgiveness the only way to deal with unforgiveness? . Journal of Counseling and Development , 81 : 343 – 353 .
  • Weintrobe , S. 2004 . Links between grievance, complaint and different forms of entitlement . International Journal of Psychoanalysis , 85 : 83 – 96 .
  • Wiesenthal , S. 1998 . The sunflower: On the possibilities and limits of forgiveness , (rev. ed.) . New York : Schocken .
  • Williamson , I. and Gonzales , M.H. 2007 . The subjective experience of forgiveness: Positive construals of the forgiveness experience . Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology , 26 : 407 – 446 .
  • Witvliet , C.V.O. , Ludwig , T.E. and Vander Laan , K.L. 2001 . Granting forgiveness or harboring grudges: Implications for emotion, physiology, and health . Psychological Science , 12 : 117 – 123 .
  • Worthington , E.L. Jr. 2006 . Forgiveness and reconciliation: Theory and application , New York : Routledge .
  • Worthington , E.L. Jr , Berry , J.W. , Parrott , L. III . 2001 . Unforgiveness, forgiveness, religion, and health. T.G. Plante , A.C. Sherman , Faith and health: Psychological perspectives 107 – 138 . The Guilford Press New York .
  • Worthington , E.L. and Wade , N.G. 1999 . The psychology of unforgiveness and forgiveness and implications for clinical practice . Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology , 18 : 385 – 418 .
  • Yoshimura , S.M. 2002 . An evolutionary approach to communicating vengeance in romantic relationships . Unpublished doctoral dissertation Arizona State University, Tempe.
  • Yoshimura , S. 2007 . Goals and emotional outcomes of revenge activities in interpersonal relationships . Journal of Social and Personal Relationships , 24 : 87 – 98 .
  • Younger , J.W. , Piferi , R.L. , Jobe , R.L and Lawler , K.A. 2004 . Dimensions of forgiveness: The views of laypersons . Journal of Social and Personal Relationships , 21 ( 6 ) : 837 – 855 .

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.