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Orientation to the Psychology of Self-Forgiveness

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Handbook of the Psychology of Self-Forgiveness

Abstract

In this introductory chapter, we provide an overview of the history and context of self-forgiveness research within the field of Psychology. We discuss definitions of self-forgiveness, with emphasis on theoretical and empirical quandaries that have characterized the field. We examine contexts in which self-forgiveness has been examined as a natural process, and how the process depends on factors including age, gender, and religious/cultural identity. We summarize the promise of emerging interventions designed to promote self-forgiveness. Overall, this chapter will deepen and broaden the scope of your understanding prior to engaging with the innovative, challenging, and rigorous scholars whose contributions to this handbook follow in the remaining chapters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Lydia Woodyatt & Michael Wenzel

  2. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Everett L. Worthington Jr.

  3. San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Brandon J. Griffin

Authors
  1. Lydia Woodyatt
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  2. Everett L. Worthington Jr.
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  3. Michael Wenzel
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  4. Brandon J. Griffin
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Correspondence to Lydia Woodyatt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Lydia Woodyatt

  2. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    Everett L. Worthington, Jr.

  3. School of Psychology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Michael Wenzel

  4. San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA

    Brandon J. Griffin

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Woodyatt, L., Worthington, E.L., Wenzel, M., Griffin, B.J. (2017). Orientation to the Psychology of Self-Forgiveness. In: Woodyatt, L., Worthington, Jr., E., Wenzel, M., Griffin, B. (eds) Handbook of the Psychology of Self-Forgiveness. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60573-9_1

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