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Related Experiment Videos

Dealing with betrayal in close relationships: does commitment promote forgiveness?

Eli J Finkel1, Caryl E Rusbult, Madoka Kumashiro

  • 1Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. eli@andrew.cmu.edu

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|June 8, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Strong commitment motivates relationship forgiveness after betrayal. This research shows commitment, particularly the intent to persist, drives forgiveness more than long-term orientation or attachment, influencing cognitive interpretations.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Relationship Science

Background:

  • Existing research on forgiveness often overlooks the role of commitment.
  • Interdependence theory provides a framework for understanding relationship dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of commitment in motivating forgiveness after betrayal.
  • To explore the relationship between commitment, prorelationship motivation, and forgiveness.

Main Methods:

  • A priming experiment to assess immediate effects.
  • A cross-sectional survey study for correlational analysis.
  • An interaction record study to examine relationship dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Commitment was positively associated with forgiveness.

Related Experiment Videos

  • The association between commitment and forgiveness was mediated by intent to persist.
  • Cognitive interpretations of betrayal mediated the commitment-forgiveness link, while emotional reactions did not.

    • Conclusions:

    • Commitment, specifically the intent to persist in the relationship, is a key motivator for forgiveness.
    • Cognitive reappraisal of betrayal incidents plays a significant role in fostering forgiveness.
    • Self-oriented reactions to betrayal hinder forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of prorelationship motivation.