Bringing together a distinguished array of researchers and scholars, this volume reviews the breadth of current knowledge on the psychology of forgiveness. In addition to presenting theory and research, the book outlines crucial issues that must be addressed to advance the state of the science in years to come. The first section provides a historical and conceptual overview, examining definitional problems and giving special attention to religious and cultural influences on how forgiveness is understood and experienced. The biological, developmental, social and personality foundations of forgiveness are then explored. The final section covers applications in clinical research and practice, including guidelines for studying and applying forgiveness-based strategies in psychotherapy and counselling and interventions to promote health.
1. The Psychology of Forgiveness: History, Conceptual Issues, and Overview, Michael E. McCullough, Kenneth I. Pargament, and Carl E. Thoresen I. Conceptual and Measurement Issues 2.Religious Perspectives on Forgiveness, Mark S. Rye, Kenneth I. Pargament, M. Amir Ali, Guy L. Beck, Elliot N. Dorff, Charles Hallisey, Vasudha Narayanan, and James G. Williams 3.The Meaning of Forgiveness in a Specific Situational and Cultural Context: Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in India, Lydia R. Temoshok and Prabha S. Chandra 4. What We Know (and Need to Know) about Assessing Forgiveness Constructs, Michael E. McCullough, K. Chris Rachal, and William T. Hoyt II. Basic Psychological Research 5. The Neuropsychological Correlates of Forgiveness, Andrew B. Newberg, Eugene G. dAquili, Stephanie K. Newberg, and Verushka deMarici 6. Developmental and Cognitive Points of View on Forgiveness, Etienne Mullet and Michele Girard 7. Expressing Forgiveness and Repentance: Benefits and Barriers, Julie Juola Exline and Roy F. Baumeister 8. Personality and Forgiveness, Robert A. Emmons III. Applications in Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Health 9. Forgiveness as a Process of Change in Individual Psychotherapy, Wanda M. Malcolm and Leslie S. Greenberg 10. The Use of Forgiveness in Marital Therapy, Kristina Coop Gordon, Donald H. Baucom, and Douglas K. Snyder 11. Group Interventions to Promote Forgiveness: What Researchers and Clinicians Ought to Know, Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Steven J. Sandage, and Jack W. Berry 12. Forgiveness and Health: An Unanswered Question, Carl E. Thoresen, Alex H. S. Harris, and Frederic Luskin 13. Forgiveness in Pastoral Care and Counseling, John Patton IV. Conclusion 14. The Frontier of Forgiveness: Seven Directions for Psychological Study and Practice, Kenneth I. Pargament, Michael E. McCullough, and Carl E. Thoresen
