Forgivingness and lay conceptualizations of forgiveness

The relationships between conceptualizations of forgiveness and general propensity to forgive were assessed. A positive association was found between unconditional forgiveness and the beliefs that (a) forgiveness corresponds to a decrease in negative feelings and to an increase in positive feelings towards the offender and (b) forgiveness is a broad process that is not limited to the victim-offender dyad. A positive association between the view that forgiveness is immoral and propensity to lasting resentment was also found. These associations were evidenced beyond the associations already found with educational level, religious involvement, and personality variables. Overall, lasting resentment was the construct that was most associated with personality and demographic factors, and unconditional forgiveness was the construct that was most associated with conceptualizations factors (acquired positive conceptions about forgiveness).