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Communicating Forgiveness
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Communicating Forgiveness



November 2007 | 216 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Communicating Forgiveness provides a synthesis of the literature on forgiveness in relationships, with special emphasis on the central but understudied role of interpersonal communication. Authors Vincent Waldron and Douglas Kelley define forgiveness as a communication process which allows partners to confront relational wrong doing, manage intense emotional responses, forgo legitimate claims to revenge, and potentially repair the relationship. They see forgiveness as a positive, hopeful alternative to estrangement, bitterness and retribution. By focusing on communication behaviors and offering research-based guidance on effective forgiveness practices, the authors present an alternative to the prevailing psychological frameworks. Communicating Forgiveness offers new insights to anyone interested in the dynamics of personal and work relationships, conflict management, relational justice, family functioning, and related topics.
 
Preface
 
1. Conceptual Foundations
Why Is Forgiveness Important?

 
Theological Foundations

 
Social Science Approaches

 
 
2. Elements of the Forgiveness Process
Sensitizing Concepts: Communication as an Observational Lens

 
Transgressions and Traumatic Relational Events

 
Relational Context

 
Individual Factors

 
Communication Processes

 
Relationship Outcomes

 
Conclusion

 
 
3. Theorizing Forgiveness
Dialectical Theory

 
Uncertainty Management Frameworks

 
Identity Management Theories

 
Towards Negotiated Morality Theory (NMT) of Forgiveness

 
 
4. Communicating Forgiveness
The Forgiveness Episode: Six Communication Processes

 
Revealing and Detecting Transgressions

 
Managing Emotions

 
Making Sense

 
Seeking Forgiveness

 
Granting Forgiveness

 
Relationship Negotiation and Transition

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
 
5. Practicing Forgiveness
Five Reasons to Forgive

 
The Dark Side of Forgiveness

 
Prescriptive Models of Forgiveness

 
Communication Tasks of Forgiveness (CTF): A New Prescriptive Model

 
Reconciliation: A Possible Outcome of Forgiveness

 
Contributions From Long-Term Couples

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
 
6. Studying Forgiveness: Methodological Conundrums and Transformational Experiences
Why Do We Study Forgiveness?

 
Conceptual Definition: What Is Forgiveness Anyway?

 
Picking Our Paradigm: Which Questions Matter Most?

 
How Do You Measure Forgiveness?

 
Transformations

 
 
Appendices
 
References
 
Index
 
About the Authors

"Waldron and Kelley successfully weave in examples from their qualitiative studies to illustrate various forgivemess concepts. The qualitative approach is a nice complement to the mostly quantitative work done in personal relationships. The authors provide insight into important methodological considerations such as conceptual definitions of forgiveness and measurement issues. The book fits nicely with the positive psychology movement. I found it refreshing to see a book that tackles how people can recover from such serious transgressions."

Karen Wilson
PsycCRITIQUES

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781412939713
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