Revenge and forgiveness after victimization:Differences between violent offenders and male students from various educational settings

Being harmed by another person may elicit strong emotions about the perpetrator(s). Among others, the experience may call for revenge. Recent formulations picture revenge as a primary motive for violent offending in general, for firesetting, sexual violence, massmurder, and (suicide) terrorism. A review of empirical findings put revenge forward as a causal factor in upto 20% of homicides worldwide, 61% of schoolshootings, 27% of bombings, and as an inspiring factor for recruitment in terrorist organizations. Such findings and formulations suggest that violent offenders might be victimized and vengeful offenders. Indeed, many violent offenders report a history of victimization but do individuals who have committed a violent offense also report more negative motivation (revenge, avoidance) and less positive motivation (benevolence, forgiveness) toward their victimizers than individuals from the general community?