Relating trait self-control and forgiveness within prosocials and proselfs: Compensatory versus synergistic models

• Main Authors: BALLIET, Daniel, LI, Norman P., JOIREMAN, Jeff
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2011
• Subjects: forgiveness; social dilemmas; social value orientation; trait self-control; Personality and Social Contexts; Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1122; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/2378/viewcontent/BallietLiJoireman2012.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

The present research tested 2 competing models specifying how 2 traits (concern with the well-being of others and self-control) interact to predict forgiveness. According to the compensatory model, forgiveness requires being high on either trait; according to the synergistic model, forgiveness requires being high on both traits. Two preliminary studies demonstrated the main effect of trait (Study 1a) and primed (Study 1b) self-control on forgiveness. Three primary studies consistently supported the compensatory model in predicting willingness to forgive a partner who behaves noncooperatively in a 2-alternative prisoner’s dilemma (Study 2), a continuous give-some dilemma (Study 3), and a 2-alternative maximizing difference game (Study 4). Among proselfs or those low in trait forgiveness, trait self-control positively related to forgiveness, suggesting that self-control can compensate for a lack of concern with others’ well-being. Implications for theory and research on forgiveness are discussed.