The apology mismatch: Asymmetries between victim's need for apologies and perpetrator's willingness to apologize

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SSCI Scopus ABDC-A

Abstract

Although　previous　research　on　apologies　has　shown　that　apologies　can　have　many　beneficial　effects　on　victims＇　responses,　the　dyadic　nature　of　the　apology　process　has　largely　been　ignored.　As　a　consequence,　very　little　is　known　about　the　congruence　between　perpetrators＇　willingness　to　apologize　and　victims＇　willingness　to　receive　an　apology.　In　three　experimental　studies　we　showed　that　victims　mainly　want　to　receive　an　apology　after　an　intentional　transgression,　whereas　perpetrators　want　to　offer　an　apology　particularly　after　an　unintentional　transgression.　As　expected,　these　divergent　apologetic　needs　among　victims　and　perpetrators　were　mediated　by　unique　emotions:　guilt　among　perpetrators　and　anger　among　victims.　These　results　suggest　that　an　apology　serves　very　different　goals　among　victims　and　perpetrators,　thus　pointing　at　an　apology　mismatch.

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