Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
Do agreeableness and neuroticism explain age differences in the tendency to forgive others?
Marianne Steiner1, Mathias Allemand, Michael E McCullough
1University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Previous research has shown that age is positively related to a dispositional tendency to forgive others. The present investigation tested the hypothesis that agreeableness and neuroticism partially mediate the association between age and forgivingness. Data from two representative cross-sectional samples of adults were used to test this hypothesis. Results from Study 1 (N = 962, age range: 19-84 years) support the hypothesis, indicating that agreeableness and neuroticism explained, in part, age differences in tendencies to forgive. Study 2 (N = 451, age range: 20-83 years) replicated and extended the results by including transgression occurrences as a third mediator. The results showed that agreeableness and neuroticism explain the association between age and the tendency to forgive others over and above the effect of transgression occurrences.
Related Concept Videos
Empathy
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Factors Influencing Attraction VI: Personality Traits
Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

