The Role of Controlled Motivation in Transgressor Reconciliation Outcomes

Abstract: Research on the apology-forgiveness social script has focused on the victim’s perspective while downstream transgressor reconciliation efforts are underexplored. We demonstrate that transgressor apology motivation influences motivation and sincerity evaluations of the victim’s forgiveness, ultimately impacting transgressor restoration efforts. We leverage the Self-Determination Framework to categorize motivations. Study 1 via a trust game explores the effect of transgressor apology motivation on transgressor restoration efforts post victim-forgiveness. Study 2 investigates how apology motivation influences attributed forgiveness motivation. Study 3 provides support for our full proposed model – the effect of transgressor apology motivation on restoration efforts is serially mediated by inferred motivation of forgiveness and perceived forgiveness sincerity. This research contributes to the emerging literature on the role of motivation in the apology-forgiveness path to reconciliation.

Keywords: reconciliation, motivation, apology

Topic: COMM   |   Format: Full Paper