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Forgiveness as a character strength: Toward a developmental model and research agenda

Jonathan M. Tirrell
All your life you’re told forgiveness is for you. But we’re never told why it’s for you. It means you’re working on owning your life.
Shani Tran
Therapist and Founder, The Shani Project
Forgiveness is nothing less than the way we heal the world. We heal the world by healing each and every one of our hearts. The process is simple, but it is not easy.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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Forgiveness as a character strength: Toward a developmental model and research agenda

Jonathan M. Tirrell
NO. of participants
Date
2021
Type of Evidence
Type of Paper
Empiricism
open access
Yes
No
sample size

Forgiveness involves a shift from negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to positive ones after a transgression. Previous research supports the benefits of forgiving, particularly for physical and emotional health. However, debates within the character development literatures exist regarding whether forgiveness is a strength that benefits all parties involved in the transgression. For example, forgiveness is often linked to pardoning, condoning, or justifying bad behavior and forswearing justice. Nietzsche regarded forgiveness as a weakness, and as an undesirable attribute or vice; Gandhi, however, believed forgiveness reflected good moral character and virtuous behavior. I propose a relational developmental systems (RDS)-based model of forgiveness as a character strength that benefits both individuals and contexts following a transgression. I situate forgiveness within RDS metatheory and character development and assess forgiveness across two contexts: school bullying and criminal behavior. Implications for research, education, and intervention promoting adaptive social relationships and thriving are discussed.