Inclusive justice beliefs and forgiveness: Commonality through self-transcending values

Although justice and forgiveness are generally held to be competitive constructs, increasingly, studies indicate that when justice is operationalized on the basis of its inclusive characteristics, it is compatible with forgiveness. This study (N = 142) applied a human values framework to provide a theoretical explanation for the positive association between justice (operationalized as just world beliefs about the self [BJW-self]) and forgiveness. Replicating previous research, BJW-self was associated positively with forgiveness and negatively with revenge in response to a specific transgression. Importantly, the self-transcendent values of universalism and benevolence, but not the self-enhancing value of power, played an explanatory role in relations between BJW-self and forgiveness and revenge. Theoretical implications and future research ideas are discussed.