Focus on Research

Counseling Psychologists Study Forgiveness

College of Education researchers have shown that racial similarity between victim and offender influences forgiveness, most notably in the black victim–black offender pairing.

The findings were published in the December 2011 issue of the journal Psychology.

Courtney Cornick, a counseling psychology doctoral student and lead study author, said the study provides a better understanding of distress and forgiveness.

“Distressing situations happen everywhere, but forgiveness is possible,” Cornick said. “There are actual health benefits if transgressions are forgiven. Sometimes, when people think something is impossible, knowing that it is possible is meaningful.”

Professor Elizabeth Altmaier served as senior study author.