Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2025
08:24
The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
835
Social decision-making following interpersonal transgressions: Word to the wise
Nikan Eghbali1, C Ward Struthers1, Joshua R Guilfoyle1
1Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development (OISE).
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Applied
|January 10, 2022
Summary
This study reveals that wiser individuals tend to respond more prosocially and less antisocially after being wronged. Their responses are context-dependent, showing increased forgiveness for minor transgressions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Understanding post-transgression responses (PTRs) is crucial for interpersonal dynamics.
- The role of wisdom in shaping victims' reactions to transgressions remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between wisdom and victims' prosocial, neutral, and antisocial PTRs.
- To investigate how transgressors' intent and transgression frequency moderate this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted, varying in design, setting (lab vs. online), and transgression type (personal vs. extrapersonal).
- Participants' post-transgression responses were assessed in relation to their wisdom levels and contextual factors.
Main Results:
- Wisdom was positively associated with prosocial (forgiving) and negatively with antisocial (unforgiving) responses.
- Wiser individuals demonstrated context-specific PTRs, tailoring responses based on transgressor intent and offense frequency.
- A notable finding was that wiser individuals were particularly forgiving of minor offenses.
Conclusions:
- Empirical evidence supports a link between wisdom and prosocial post-transgression behaviors.
- Wisdom facilitates adaptive responses by enabling individuals to judiciously apply forgiveness based on situational context.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Impression Management Techniques III: Aligning Actions
16
Aligning actions are communicative strategies individuals employ to maintain social harmony and preserve personal identity in the face of potential disruptions to social norms. These actions are particularly important in managing social impressions when one's behavior might be seen as inappropriate, incompetent, or morally questionable.Types of Aligning ActionsThe three principal types of aligning actions are disclaimers, accounts, and apologies.DisclaimersDisclaimers are preventive; they are...
16
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
22
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
22
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
22
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
22
01:52Persuasion Strategies
40.4K
Researchers have tested many persuasion strategies, including the foot-in-the door and the door-in-the-face techniques, in a variety of contexts. Ultimately, the principles are effective in selling products and changing people’s attitude, ideas, and behaviors (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004).
40.4K
02:04Bullying
8.5K
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
8.5K
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
4.3K
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
4.3K