| Research on reproach and apology is reviewed. Little research has examined reproach. Generally, research on apology demonstrates that apology has positive effects on relationships (e.g., decreases retaliation, increases likelihood of forgiveness and reconciliation). How reproach and apology are communicated can have effects on how interpersonal hurts and offenses are managed. A between-groups (control, treatment) randomized clinical experimental intervention was conducted. Three major hypotheses were tested. The main hypothesis tested whether the 2.5-hour intervention changed participants' rated performance in making reproaches and offering concessions. The second hypothesis examined whether the 2.5-hour intervention changed how participants' recalled and rated a prior offense. The third hypothesis examined whether the intervention was more effective for people with different personal qualities (e.g., sex, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism). Participants were 84 undergraduates. Participants either participated in a 2.5-hour intervention teaching communication skill of reproach, apology, and apology evaluation or watched 2.5-hours of nature videos. Questionnaire data were collected. Video recorded behavioral data of participants role-playing scenarios as both the victim and the offender were collected. Data were collected at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and 2-4 week follow-up. The main hypothesis received modest support. The intervention changed participants rated performance in making reproaches and offering concessions (i.e., behavioral coding). Participants in the treatment group exhibited more positive emotions when role-playing as the offender and the victim than did the control group at the post-test, but the effects were not maintained at the follow-up. The second hypothesis was largely supported. Participants in the treatment group were more forgiving toward an index transgression at both post-test and follow-up relative to the control group. Participants in the treatment group expressed more empathy toward an index transgression at the follow-up than did participants in the control group. Participants in the treatment group reported higher relationship quality at the post-test than did the control group. The third hypothesis received little support. Overall, results support the conclusion that the intervention can affect communication, pro-relationship emotions when discussing interpersonal transgressions, forgiveness, empathy, and relationship quality on a short-term basis. |
