Toward the bigger picture: Concrete and abstract thinking about a transgression, and the role of time in interpersonal forgiveness

Abstract

Rumination is commonly considered detrimental to forgiveness. In contrast, we propose that different forms of post-transgression thinking are differentially effective for forgiveness, depending on their timing. Concrete thinking focuses on event details, whereas abstract thinking abstracts from details and views the event in a broader context. Following construal level theory, we propose that concrete thinking is increasingly ill-matched, and abstract thinking better matched, to the construal abilities and motivation afforded by psychological distance. Hence, over time, concrete thinking would be negatively, and abstract thinking positively, associated with forgiveness. Two correlational recall studies, with time since transgression measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Study 2), demonstrated that with greater temporal distance concrete thinking was more negatively, and abstract thinking more positively, related to forgiveness. Study 3 employed a prospective-longitudinal methodology over five time-points; intra-individual decrease in concrete thinking and increase in abstract thinking over time were related to higher levels of forgiveness. K E Y W O R D S abstract thinking, concrete thinking, construal level, forgiveness, rumination, time S U PP O RTI N G I N FO R M ATI O N Additional supporting information may be found online in the Supporting Information section. How to cite this article: Wenzel M, Coughlin A-M. Toward the bigger picture: Concrete and abstract thinking about a transgression, and the role of time in interpersonal forgiveness. Eur J Soc Psychol. 2020;50:783-798. https://doi.

Let's talk about this: Co‐rumination and dyadic dynamics of moral repair following wrongdoing

“…What differentiates rumination that leads offenders to genuinely forgive themselves from that which makes them sink deeper into a cycle of self-condemnation? One limitation of the present study is that there is no differentiation of individual ruminative processes, between brooding and reflection, intrusive recall, or re-experiencing and deliberative sense-making (Cann et al, 2011;Trapnell & Campbell, 1999), or concrete and abstract thinking, the measurement of which was attempted in our study but failed (Wenzel & Coughlin, 2020; see footnote 2).…”

“…Individual rumination was measured with the item: “How much have you been thinking about the transgression?” (within the last 24 h; Wenzel & Coughlin, 2020). 2…”

“…In the present context, the negative personal concerns refer to a transgression that has occurred between two individuals. Both victims and offenders can engage in rumination about a wrongdoing (e.g., Evans et al, 2007;Orth et al, 2008), whether as intrusive thoughts that occur repeatedly without intention, or deliberate thoughts of recalling and reflecting on the incident (Cann et al, 2011); as recalling and re-experiencing the event in its concrete details, or putting the event into broader perspective and abstracting from those details (Wenzel & Coughlin, 2020). However, rumination is not necessarily a solitary activity.…”

The effects of unanswered supervisor support on employees’ well-being, performance, and relational outcomes.

“…Once participants were assigned to conditions, similar to previous retrospective recall studies (e.g., Struthers et al, 2008; Wenzel & Coughlin, 2020), participants recalled and wrote about a specific situation that occurred for them in the last month. Participants in the answered support condition were instructed to “think about a time in the last month when you asked your supervisor at work for help, and you received their help,” whereas participants in the unanswered support condition were instructed to “think about a time in the last month when you asked your supervisor at work for help, but you did not receive their help.” All participants were then instructed to “spend at least 2 min reflecting, but please spend more time if you would like.…”

The needs-based model of reconciliation: How identity restoration processes can contribute to more harmonious and equal social relations

“…When a transgression is described and thought of in abstract terms, it is likely to be perceived as remote and removed from direct experience, because abstraction is associated with psychological distance (Trope & Liberman, 2010). On the other hand, when a transgression is described in detail and thought of in concrete terms, it is experienced as if it is relived, evoking stronger emotional reactions (Wenzel & Coughlin, 2020). Therefore, it makes sense to hypothesize that perpetrators, or members of historical perpetrator groups, would prefer more abstract representations of the transgression than either victims or members of victim groups.…”