Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Empathy and Forgiveness
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2005
Description
Much research has shown that women are more empathic than men. Yet, women and men are equally forgiving. However, it is not clear whether empathy is more important to forgiveness for men or for women. The purpose of the present study was to examine gender differences in levels of empathy and forgiveness and the extent to which the association of empathy and forgiveness differed by gender. Participants were 127 community residents who completed self-report measures of empathy and forgiveness. The present results showed that women were more empathic than men, but no gender difference for forgiveness was apparent. However, the association between empathy and forgiveness did differ by gender. Empathy was associated with forgiveness in men—but not in women.
Citation Information
Toussaint, Loren; and Webb, Jon R.. 2005. Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Empathy and Forgiveness. Journal of Social Psychology. Vol.145(6). 673-685. https://doi.org/10.3200/SOCP.145.6.673-686 ISSN: 0022-4545