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No such thing as genuine forgiveness?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2012

Mark G. McCoy  and
Todd K. Shackelford
Mark G. McCoy
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309. [email protected]@oakland.eduwww.ToddKShackelford.com
Todd K. Shackelford
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309. [email protected]@oakland.eduwww.ToddKShackelford.com
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Abstract

McCullough et al. propose adaptations that motivate forgiveness when the potential benefits of continuing the relationship outweigh the costs incurred by the transgression. The costs incurred are definite, whereas future benefits of forgiveness are only probabilistic. This situation exposes the forgiver to cheating in the form of repeat transgression. Adaptations motivating genuine forgiveness are therefore unlikely to evolve.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , February 2013 , pp. 28 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013

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