Does forgiveness require interpersonal interactions? Individual differences in conceptualization of forgiveness.

The present studies examined whether victims believed that forgiveness requires interpersonal interaction between the victim and offender. Having an interpersonal conceptualization of forgiveness was positively related to a collectivistic worldview. Also, an interpersonal conceptualization of forgiveness was positively related to forgiveness measures that stressed interpersonal interactions with the offender. However, an interpersonal conceptualization of forgiveness was positively related to a general measure of forgiveness only for those participants who were in a continuing relationship with the offender. The current research is an important step in understanding the contexts in which one’s conceptualization of forgiveness may influence its practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]