Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-178).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-178).

abstract: The current study is the first qualitative investigation aimed solely at understanding what it means to communicate conditional forgiveness in serious romantic relationships. Conditional forgiveness is forgiveness that has been offered with the stipulation that the errant behavior cease. It is a provocative topic because some argue genuine forgiveness is not conditional, but recent discoveries that have associated its use with severe transgressions and relational deterioration suggest it is a critical site for investigation. This inductive analysis of open-ended data from 201 anonymous surveys identified both distinctions between and intersections of conditional forgiveness, forgiveness, and reconciliation. A relational dialectics analysis also revealed that reconcilable-irreconcilable was the overarching tension for conditional forgivers and six additional tensions also were also discovered: individual identity-couple identity, safety-risk, certainty-uncertainty, mercy-justice, heart-mind, and expression-suppression. Of particular intrigue, the current analysis supports the previous discovery of implicit conditional forgiveness--suppressing conditions, sometimes in response to physical and substance abuse. Ultimately, the current analysis contributes to the enduring conversation aimed at understanding the communication and pursuit of forgiveness and reconciliation. It addresses one of the basic instincts and paradoxes of existing with others--the balance between vulnerability and protection. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. Communication Studies 2011

This qualitative study explores the meaning of interpersonal forgiveness, using a both/and or postmodern epistemology and a phenomenological methodology. Forgiveness is seen as a reframe that could transform a limiting, disempowering dominant narrative into a more empowering and useful story. The researcher interviews three participants to co-create stories of forgiveness. Themes of emotional discomfort; blame and responsibility; shift to empathy; forgiveness as process; and lasting change or forgiveness incorporated into way of life, are identified. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This qualitative study explores the meaning of interpersonal forgiveness, using a both/and or postmodern epistemology and a phenomenological methodology. Forgiveness is seen as a reframe that could transform a limiting, disempowering dominant narrative into a more empowering and useful story. The researcher interviews three participants to co-create stories of forgiveness. Themes of emotional discomfort; blame and responsibility; shift to empathy; forgiveness as process; and lasting change or forgiveness incorporated into way of life, are identified. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

published_or_final_version / abstract / Education / Master / Master of Education

Although the scientific study of forgiveness has flourished in recent years, little is known about transgressors when seeking forgiveness, particularly regarding how they respond when their request for forgiveness is denied. The present thesis reviews the literature related to how transgressors might react to a denied request for forgiveness and factors that likely influence their response. In two studies, interactions between sex and responses to requested forgiveness, and interactions between two personality variables (agreeableness and neuroticism) and responses to requested forgiveness were examined. Generally, when people refuse or even partially refuse a bid for forgiveness, it is considered by the requestor to be a wrong perpetrated by the original victim. Even after considering the hurtfulness and severity of that wrong, there were differences in the degree to which original offenders held unforgiveness, experienced positive emotions, and forgave the original victim, depending on how starkly the original victim denied the request.

Master of Science / Department of Psychology / Brenda L. McDaniel / A large majority of trauma research focuses on relatively acute, physical trauma leading to the development of negative mental and physical trauma symptoms. Sometimes psychological trauma is measured concurrently with these instances of physical trauma. However, less is known about the impact of solely psychological trauma on mental and physical trauma symptom development. Moreover, chronic rather than acute psychological trauma is even more understudied. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to address the gap of knowledge surrounding the impact of chronic psychological trauma on mental and physical health in young adults. The present inquiry was guided by two theoretical models: the Chronic Relational Trauma (CRT) Model and the Etiology of Psychopathology (EP) Model. The CRT Model posits a cyclical pattern of relational trauma perpetrated by caregivers, peers, and intimate partners. Relatedly, the EP Model focuses on acute physical trauma exposure leading to the development of negative mental and physical trauma symptoms as well as potential biological dysregulation with personality characteristics moderating these relationships. However, it is currently unknown how these moderating personality characteristics impact chronic psychological trauma. Thus, the current study blended these two theoretical models in order to examine the impact of chronic psychological trauma on mental, physical, and biological symptoms. One hundred and eighty young adults (Mean age = 18.53, SD = .70) were recruited for the current study. Participants completed a series of questionnaires and provided five total cortisol samples via oral swabs. Results indicate that after controlling for chronic physical trauma, chronic psychological trauma predicts mental trauma symptoms for females and males, but not physical trauma symptoms or biological dysregulation in cortisol. Further, levels of resilience, namely a sense of mastery and emotional reactivity as well as forgiveness significantly moderate the relationship between chronic psychological trauma and mental and physical trauma symptoms for males and females differentially. Contributions of the current findings in terms of adding unique knowledge to trauma literature and future research projects are discussed.

This dissertation explores the activities of the Friars Minor relating to penance, seeking to identify the distinctive characteristics of their penitential ideals and practices and understand how they affected the penitential lives of those around them. The first three chapters draw from sources dating to the thirteenth and occasionally early fourteenth centuries from all over Western Christendom, while the last two chapters use sources mainly from thirteenth-century Northern Italy. In the Franciscan Summae confessorum, handbooks for confessors, three distinctive Franciscan penitential ideals emerge: a willingness to undermine the established order of the Church in order to gain more influence in the penitential forum; a desire for more lenient interrogation methods and imposition of penances; and a conception of indulgences as a normal part of the penitential process rather than as extraordinary privileges. These ideals influenced the way Franciscans directed penitential policy when they became prominent under the Franciscan pope Nicholas IV. Absolution and dispensation were made more available through delegation, bishops were left out of the process, and indulgences were granted in larger numbers. Franciscan penitential ideals also spread to the laity through preaching. Franciscans’ emphasis on lenient penances was paired with sermons that urged the laity to do lifelong penance and exalted their spiritual status. Franciscan spiritual advice also moved holy women such as Angela of Foligno and Margaret of Cortona to moderate their excessive penitential practices, seek out indulgences, and criticize prelates. But many lay people resisted Franciscan influence, such as the confraternities of Florence who rejected Franciscan guidance. In general, there was a relationship of mutual influence between the friars and laity in which the friars aimed to control penitential practice to some extent, but also left room for and encouraged lay autonomy, which can be seen in testaments from Bologna.

Forgiveness is an important characteristic of a healthy relationship. Several factors have been shown to be connected to forgiveness, but other factors may play a significant role in the forgiveness process. Little is known about how humility affects forgiveness in the context of an interpersonal conflict. Expressive writing, when combined with humility, may help counselors and other mental health providers in understanding how to better foster forgiveness among individuals and help them cope with stressful events and relational problems. The primary purpose of this study was to examine whether expressive writing involving humility regarding a minor offense leads to increased forgiveness compared to expressive writing that does not involve humility. The theoretical framework was based on the REACH model of forgiveness and Pennebaker's writing paradigm. The focus of the primary research question was on what role, if any, humility plays in forgiveness-based expressive writing. A randomized experimental design involving 4 groups was used. Each group received slightly different instructions, with 1 group having a humility (self-criticism) aspect. Forgiveness was measured using the TRIM-12 item questionnaire. Planned contrasts within a 1-way ANOVA were conducted along with a t test for analysis. The results of this research study were non-significant regarding the role of humility in increasing forgiveness in expressive writing. Regarding positive social change, this study adds to the literature by providing knowledge concerning what factors do not affect forgiveness in expressive writing and supports the need for future research on humility and forgiveness.