Forgiveness is the act of extending compassion to those who have wronged or harmed us, involving relinquishing control and letting go of negative emotions associated with an incident. This includes releasing irritation, disappointment, resentment, or other unpleasant feelings. Embracing forgiveness, along with the associated trait of mercy, entails accepting the flaws, defects, and shortcomings of others and offering them a second chance (VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports, 2021). The practice of forgiveness contributes to effective interpersonal relationships, flourishing cooperation, job satisfaction, personal morale, creative problem-solving, adaptability in the face of change, and overall productivity (VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports, 2021).

Forgiveness is considered a character strength and a virtue of temperance, characterized by modesty and self-restraint. These traits play a crucial role in preventing excessive behaviors and maintaining a sense of balance in daily life. Without forgiveness, individuals may dwell on negative experiences and become consumed by external factors beyond their control. Temperance serves as a mechanism to navigate and restrain emotions related to consumption.

PSYC FPX 4110 Assessment 3 Justice, Temperance, and Transcendence Reflection Paper

The Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS) is an 18-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess dispositional forgiveness, reflecting one’s general tendency to be forgiving rather than forgiveness of a specific event or person (Thompson et al., 2021). My total HFS score is 121, indicating a tendency to forgive oneself, others, and uncontrollable situations (The Model and Definition of Forgiveness — HFS, 2021). Forgiveness, particularly toward others, has been an ongoing personal journey. Recognizing the need for self-accountability and understanding the process others must navigate has paved the way for extending forgiveness to others. Uncontrollable situations are acknowledged as part of life, and forgiveness for oneself and others becomes necessary.

Cultivating characteristics such as forgiveness enables individuals to release negative feelings toward themselves and others, fostering a sense of calm and compassion (VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports, 2021).

Relationship to Positive Psychology

In the realm of positive psychology, the HFS evaluation provides a quantitative examination of character strengths and weaknesses applicable to everyday life. It serves as an indicator of current strengths and areas for further development. Contemporary research highlights nine positive effects of forgiveness, including tolerance, happiness, contentment, confidence, reduction of negative thoughts, relaxation, positive social interaction, and illness prevention (Toner et al., 2012). By incorporating these qualities, individuals instinctively identify internal resources for well-being, promoting awareness and utilization of positive characteristics as foundational aspects of positive psychology.

Forgiveness, according to Worthington (2005), yields four potential benefits: physical, mental, relational, and spiritual health. Achieving forgiveness contributes to an equilibrium that alleviates anxiety and sadness resulting from harboring negative thoughts. It is both an intrapersonal and interpersonal process, significantly influencing satisfaction with interpersonal connections and overall health. Unforgiveness, characterized by retaining negative emotions, can lead to depression, anxiety, and rage. Failure to achieve self-forgiveness may result in negative repercussions, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness for letting go of negative emotions and fostering personal well-being (Yalçın and Malkoç, 2014; Zechmeister and Romero, 2002).

References

Authors — HFS. (2021). Retrieved 4 August 2021, from https://www.heartlandforgiveness.com/authors.

Pontin, E., Schwannauer, M., Tai, S., & Kinderman, P. (2013). A UK validation of a general measure of subjective well-being: the modified BBC subjective well-being scale (BBC-SWB). Health And Quality Of Life Outcomes, 11(1), 150. https://doi.org/10.1186

Thompson, L., Snyder, C., & Hoffman, L. (2021). Heartland Forgiveness Scale. DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Retrieved 4 August 2021, from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/psychfacpub/452/.

VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports. (2021). Retrieved 1 August 2021, from https://www.viacharacter.org/.

Worthington, E., Witvliet, C., Pietrini, P., & Miller, A. (2007). Forgiveness, Health, and Well-Being: A Review of Evidence for Emotional Versus Decisional Forgiveness, Dispositional Forgivingness, and Reduced Unforgiveness. Journal Of Behavioral Medicine, 30(4), 291-302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9105-8.

Zechmeister, J., & Romero, C. (2002). Victim and offender accounts of interpersonal conflict: Autobiographical narratives of forgiveness and unforgiveness. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 82(4), 675-686. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.4.675.

PSYC FPX 4110 Assessment 3 Justice, Temperance, and Transcendence Reflection Paper