The choice of forgiveness : Forgiveness of self and others focusing on situation and personality

Abstract: Throughout the years research on forgiveness has expanded (Thompson et al., 2005). However it is only in recent years that forgiveness has been recognized as a concept with two components, forgiveness of self and others (Ross, Hertenstein & Wrobel, 2007). The aim of this study was to see how forgiveness of self and others differed, also taking into consideration variables such as situation and personality. One hundred participants completed a web-based questionnaire containing four forgiveness situations, the Heartland Forgiveness Scale and a personality test. The results from the forgiveness situations did not reveal any significant difference between forgiveness of self and others. However, the ratings of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale revealed that it was harder to forgive others. Also, it was found that participants differed in their forgiveness depending on what situation it was.  In addition, individuals who scored low in the personality-type instability were less able to forgive others. It seems, therefore, that forgiveness of self and others do differ and also in the aspects of situation and personality.