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Predictors of Beliefs in Intergroup Forgiveness in a Chilean General Population Sample

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2015

Manuel Cárdenas ,
Maitane Arnoso  and
Darío Páez
Manuel Cárdenas*
Affiliation:
Universidad de Valparaíso (Chile)
Maitane Arnoso
Affiliation:
Universidad del País Vasco (Spain)
Darío Páez
Affiliation:
Universidad del País Vasco (Spain)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Manuel Cárdenas. Universidad de Valparaíso. (Chile). E-mail: manuel.cardenas@uv.cl
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Abstract

Original survey data from a Chilean sample (N = 1267) are used to study the socio-demographic and psychosocial determinants of belief in forgiveness attitudes in the context of measuring the impact of truth and reconciliation reports (NTRC, 1991) and Political Imprisonment and Torture (NPIC, 2004) commissions. A linear multiple regression analysis (R2 = .15; F(8, 1269) = 14.65; p < .001; effect size f2 = .18) revealed the positive effect of perceived apology sincerity (β = 0.22; p < .001), emotions of anger (β = –0.08; p < .05), and positive social climate (β = 0.08; p < .05). People who believe in the victims’ forgiveness feel less anger, have more positive perceptions of the sincerity and efficacy of the apologies, agree to a greater extent that the commission helped to find out the truth about what happened to the victims, and have a greater perception of the social climate as positive. The results show the importance of psychosocial and institutional variables in beliefs about forgiveness, and they suggest differences between interpersonal and intergroup forgiveness processes.

Keywords

Chilepolitical violencereparation measuresofficial apologiesand forgiveness
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 18 , 2015 , E37
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2015 

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