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The fuzzy reality of perceived harms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2012

Sara Konrath  and
Irene Cheung
Sara Konrath
Affiliation:
Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. skonrath@umich.eduwww.sarakonrath.com
Irene Cheung
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C2, Canada. icheung4@uwo.cahttp://www.wix.com/icheung4/uwo
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Abstract

We review two subjective (mis)perceptions that influence revenge and forgiveness systems. Individual differences predict more (e.g., narcissism) or less (e.g., empathy) revenge, with the opposite pattern for forgiveness. Moreover, differences in victim versus perpetrator perceptions can influence revenge and forgiveness systems, perpetuating never-ending cycles of revenge. These two examples point to the need for theories of revenge and forgiveness to address the role of cognitive and motivational biases in the functionality of such behavioral responses.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , February 2013 , pp. 26 - 27
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013

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