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Revenge and forgiveness or betrayal blindness?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2012

Sasha Johnson-Freyd
Affiliation:
Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Peabody Museum, Cambridge, MA 02138. johnsonfreyd@college.harvard.eduhttps://sites.google.com/site/johnsonfreyd/
Jennifer J. Freyd
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403. jjf@uoregon.eduhttp://dynamic.uoregon.edu

Abstract

McCullough et al. hypothesize that evolution has selected mechanisms for revenge to deter harms and for forgiveness to preserve valuable relationships. However, in highly dependent relationships, the more adaptive course of action may be to remain unaware of the initial harm rather than risk alienating a needed other. We present a testable model of possible victim responses to interrelational harm.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013

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References

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