Consider atrocities that have occurred in聽Rwanda, Israel,听Northern Ireland, and Palestine. Think about the people on both sides of the experience鈥攍iving victims and perpetrators. Now, reflect on the following questions:
- What does it take to truly forgive someone after聽he or she has聽committed a terrible wrong?
- Is it possible to forgive an entire group of people聽(e.g., a race, a country, those who practice a particular religion)? Is it easier to forgive an individual perpetrator or a group of perpetrators?
- On the other hand, what does it take to ask for聽forgiveness? For a perpetrator who has been forgiven, is it of greater聽benefit if he or she first acknowledged the full extent of the wrongdoing and asked for forgiveness?
The science of positive psychology, which encapsulates the upsurge in scientific findings on forgiveness, informs us of the physical and psychological benefits of forgiving others. However, there are many dynamics yet to be thoroughly examined by positive psychology.聽In their review of the documentary film聽Beyond Right and Wrong: Stories of Justice and Forgiveness,听听补苍诲听听聽examine the challenges of reconciliation and some of the benefits for those who display this character strength in action.聽They point out that despite an increase in research, there remain few studies on the benefits to perpetrators who have been forgiven. In addition, they emphasize the importance of altruism, generosity, and other “heroic” character strengths to counteract such horrors.
Indeed, if we all deployed our character strengths in ways to benefit others, we would not be having this conversation. What thoughts, opinions, and comments does this idea elicit in you?
Read the Review
By聽Frank聽Farley聽and Mona Sarshar
PsycCRITIQUES, 2014 Vol 59(8)
The content of this page is only for informational purposes and is not intended, expressly or by implication, as a guarantee of employment or salary, which vary based on many factors including but not limited to education, credentials, and experience. 糖心传媒 International University explicitly makes no representations or guarantees about the accuracy of the information provided by any prospective employer or any other website. Salary information available on the internet may not reflect the typical experience of 糖心传媒 graduates. 糖心传媒 does not guarantee that any graduate will be placed with a particular employer or in any specific employment position.