"The doormat effect: When forgiving erodes self-respect and self-concept clarity": Correction to Luchies, Finkel, McNulty, and Kumashiro (2010).

Abstract

Reports an error in doormat effect: When forgiving erodes self-respect and self-concept by Laura B. Luchies, Eli J. Finkel, James K. McNulty and Madoka Kumashiro (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2010May., Vol 985., 734-749). The graphs in Figure 2, on p. 741, and the graphs in Figure 3, on p. 742, were switched. The corrected figures in their entirety appear in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2010-07849-004.) We build on principles from interdependence theory and evolutionary psychology to propose that forgiving bolsters one's self-respect and self-concept clarity if the perpetrator has acted in a manner that signals that the victim will be safe and valued in a continued relationship with the perpetrator but that forgiving diminishes one's self-respect and self-concept clarity if the perpetrator has not. Study 1 employed a longitudinal design to demonstrate that the association of marital forgiveness with trajectories of self-respect over the first 5 years of marriage depends on the spouse's dispositional tendency to indicate that the partner will be safe and valued (i.e., agreeableness). Studies 2 and 3 employed experimental procedures to demonstrate that the effects of forgiveness on self-respect and self-concept clarity depend on the perpetrator's event-specific indication that the victim will be safe and valued (i.e., amends). Study 4 employed a longitudinal design to demonstrate that the association of forgiveness with subsequent self-respect and self-concept clarity similarly depends on the extent to which the perpetrator has made amends. These studies reveal that, under some circumstances, forgiveness negatively impacts the self. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en