The Multidimensional Forgiveness Inventory: A Model for the Assessment of Incongruent and Incomplete Forgiveness
Building on existing models, we theorized a dimensional model which quantifies forgiveness in terms of incongruence among forgiveness aspects. In the present research we aimed to draw on attitudinal theory to validate a measure of forgiveness which assessed cognition, behavior, and affect. Our goal...
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SAGE Publishing
2025-07-01
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| Series: | SAGE Open |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251358572 |
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| author | James G. Hillman Tara K. MacDonald |
| author_facet | James G. Hillman Tara K. MacDonald |
| author_sort | James G. Hillman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Building on existing models, we theorized a dimensional model which quantifies forgiveness in terms of incongruence among forgiveness aspects. In the present research we aimed to draw on attitudinal theory to validate a measure of forgiveness which assessed cognition, behavior, and affect. Our goal was to develop a measure of forgiveness which captures incongruence between domains. To do this, we examined the validity and reliability of the Multi-dimensional Forgiveness Inventory (MDFI), which assess forgiveness-relevant behavior, cognition, and affect. In Study 1 we assessed convergent/divergent validity and assessed predictive associations among dimensions and theoretically relevant constructs. In Study 2 we assigned participants to rate their forgiveness for transgressions (small or large), at two different time points. This allowed us to assess temporal stability of dimensions across similar and dissimilar transgressions. In Study 3 we replicated research on embodied remorse using the MDFI to assess forgiveness. We found that for transgressors demonstrating embodied remorse (i.e., kneeling), participants were more willing to communicate forgiveness, but we found no difference in cognitive or affective forgiveness (in line with past research). The present research provides a novel model and measure to assess incongruent forgiveness. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2c817e81e51c4154875839b5e22eaa17 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2158-2440 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SAGE Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-2c817e81e51c4154875839b5e22eaa172025-08-20T02:50:08ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402025-07-011510.1177/21582440251358572The Multidimensional Forgiveness Inventory: A Model for the Assessment of Incongruent and Incomplete ForgivenessJames G. Hillman0Tara K. MacDonald1Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, CanadaBuilding on existing models, we theorized a dimensional model which quantifies forgiveness in terms of incongruence among forgiveness aspects. In the present research we aimed to draw on attitudinal theory to validate a measure of forgiveness which assessed cognition, behavior, and affect. Our goal was to develop a measure of forgiveness which captures incongruence between domains. To do this, we examined the validity and reliability of the Multi-dimensional Forgiveness Inventory (MDFI), which assess forgiveness-relevant behavior, cognition, and affect. In Study 1 we assessed convergent/divergent validity and assessed predictive associations among dimensions and theoretically relevant constructs. In Study 2 we assigned participants to rate their forgiveness for transgressions (small or large), at two different time points. This allowed us to assess temporal stability of dimensions across similar and dissimilar transgressions. In Study 3 we replicated research on embodied remorse using the MDFI to assess forgiveness. We found that for transgressors demonstrating embodied remorse (i.e., kneeling), participants were more willing to communicate forgiveness, but we found no difference in cognitive or affective forgiveness (in line with past research). The present research provides a novel model and measure to assess incongruent forgiveness.https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251358572 |
| spellingShingle | James G. Hillman Tara K. MacDonald The Multidimensional Forgiveness Inventory: A Model for the Assessment of Incongruent and Incomplete Forgiveness SAGE Open |
| title | The Multidimensional Forgiveness Inventory: A Model for the Assessment of Incongruent and Incomplete Forgiveness |
| title_full | The Multidimensional Forgiveness Inventory: A Model for the Assessment of Incongruent and Incomplete Forgiveness |
| title_fullStr | The Multidimensional Forgiveness Inventory: A Model for the Assessment of Incongruent and Incomplete Forgiveness |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Multidimensional Forgiveness Inventory: A Model for the Assessment of Incongruent and Incomplete Forgiveness |
| title_short | The Multidimensional Forgiveness Inventory: A Model for the Assessment of Incongruent and Incomplete Forgiveness |
| title_sort | multidimensional forgiveness inventory a model for the assessment of incongruent and incomplete forgiveness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251358572 |
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