Self-Control and Forgiveness: A Meta-Analytic Review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2014

Publication Source

Social Psychological And Personality Science

Volume Number

5

Issue Number

4

First Page

443

Last Page

450

Publisher

Sage Publications Inc.

ISSN

1948-5506

Abstract

In the 12 years since scholars first investigated the link between self-control and forgiveness (Finkel & Campbell, 2001), the literature investigating this relation has grown rapidly. The present article reports a meta-analytic review of this link across 40 independent samples and 5,105 independent observations. In addition, it investigates an array of potential moderators. Results revealed that the overall link between self-control and forgiveness is statistically robust and small to moderate in magnitude (r = .18). Consistent with the prevailing theoretical models, this link is stronger when forgiveness is assessed in terms of low vengeance (resisting retaliation: r = .31) rather than in terms of high benevolence (fostering prosociality: r = .16). Discussion focuses on the potentially crucial role of forgiveness, especially vengeance inhibition, in linking self-control to relationship well-being.

Keywords

Self-control, Forgiveness, Vengeance, Benevolence, Meta-analysis, Close Relationships, College-students, Accommodation, Intervention, Aggression, Promotes, Violence

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