Forgiveness in everyday life: An examination of gender similarities and differences.

The purpose of the present study was to examine gender similarities/differences in forgiveness in everyday life. Participants (68 female, 60 male university students) read six different vignettes (academic, employment/nepotism, family, body image, romantic relationship, and destruction of personal property/car). Half of the participants took the role of the forgiver/victim first, while half took the role of the transgressor first and then they switched roles. While assuming the role of the forgiver/victim, participants rated their willingness to forgive the transgressor within one month (ST) and eventually (LT) on a scale ranging from 0 (not forgiven) to 100 (completely forgiven). Participants also gave written rationales detailing their reasons for choosing to forgive/not forgive the transgressor. Results indicated significant gender differences in two gender-stereotyped vignettes. There were significant differences in overall forgiveness ratings across situations. The final significant finding was that forgiveness ratings were consistently higher at the LT time period than the ST time period. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Psychology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2002 .C67. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 41-04, page: 1216. Adviser: R. Orr. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2002