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

Student Name

Capella University

PSYC FPX 4110 Positive Psychology

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Date

Activity Summary

Forgiveness involves extending compassion to those who have wronged or harmed us, which often includes relinquishing control. This process typically involves letting go of feelings such as irritation, disappointment, resentment, or other negative emotions associated with an incident. Forgiveness, along with the related quality of mercy, involves accepting the flaws, imperfections, and shortcomings of others and offering them another chance (“VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports,” 2021). Practicing forgiveness can lead to healthier interpersonal relationships, enhanced cooperation, job satisfaction, personal morale, innovative problem-solving, adaptability to change, and overall productivity (“VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports,” 2021). Forgiveness is considered a character strength and a virtue of temperance. Temperance encompasses qualities like modesty and self-restraint, which are crucial in helping us avoid excess and achieve balance in our daily lives. Without forgiveness, individuals may dwell on negative experiences, becoming consumed by external factors beyond their control. Temperance serves as the mechanism that helps restrain these emotions.

The Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS) is an 18-item, self-report questionnaire designed to assess an individual’s general tendency to be forgiving, rather than their forgiveness of a specific event or person. The HFS includes items that reflect a person’s propensity to forgive themselves, others, and situations that are beyond anyone’s control, such as natural disasters (Thompson et al., 2021). My total HFS score is 121, indicating a forgiving attitude toward oneself, others, and uncontrollable situations (The Model and Definition of Forgiveness — HFS, 2021). Forgiving others has been an ongoing personal endeavor. While holding oneself accountable, it is essential to have similar expectations for others. However, understanding that others also undergo their processes has paved the way for forgiveness toward them. Uncontrollable situations are precisely that—circumstances beyond our control. These situations are simply “life happening,” and there is no one to blame. Forgiving oneself and others for their reactions to such events is necessary. Embracing forgiveness helps us release unpleasant feelings toward ourselves and others. Forgiveness not only fosters a sense of calm but also promotes compassion toward others.

Relationship to Positive Psychology

In the context of positive psychology, the HFS evaluation provides participants with a quantitative assessment of their character strengths and areas for improvement in their daily lives. It also serves as an indicator of where our strengths lie and where they need further development. Contemporary research has shown that forgiveness has nine beneficial effects: tolerance, happiness, contentment, confidence, reduction of negative thoughts, relaxation, positive social interactions, and illness prevention (Toner et al., 2012). By incorporating these qualities, we train ourselves to recognize the internal resources available for maintaining or achieving a sense of well-being. Awareness, maintenance, and application of these positive traits are fundamental to positive psychology.

Application to Social Issues

According to Worthington (2005), forgiveness offers four potential benefits: physical, mental, relational, and spiritual health. Through forgiveness, we can achieve a balance that alleviates anxiety and depression that may arise from harboring negative thoughts. Forgiveness is both an intrapersonal and interpersonal process. Satisfaction with interpersonal relationships, as well as physical and psychological health, are strongly correlated with happiness. Individuals who are content in these areas are more likely to experience happiness. In other words, forgiving oneself, others, and circumstances enhances one’s subjective well-being (Yalçın and Malkoç, 2014). Conversely, unforgiveness is characterized by the retention of negative emotions such as anger, resentment, and thoughts of revenge. Research on conflicts between victims and offenders has shown that many offenders experience remorse and shame, often blaming themselves and struggling to forgive themselves, even after their victims have forgiven them. These offenders often find it challenging to move past their offense and toward forgiveness and personal well-being (Zechmeister and Romero, 2002). If self-forgiveness is not achieved, it can lead to several negative outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and anger. For these reasons, forgiveness is essential for letting go of negative emotions and cultivating additional character strengths while leading a happier and more peaceful life.

References

Authors — HFS. (2021). HFS. Retrieved August 4, 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 August 4, 2021, from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/psychfacpub/452/

VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports. (2021). Retrieved August 1, 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