Self-forgiveness in Psychology and Psychotherapy: A Critique |
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Authors: | Paul C Vitz Jennifer M Meade |
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Institution: | (1) The Institute for the Psychological Sciences, 2001 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Suite 511, Arlington, VA 22202, USA |
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Abstract: | This critique proposes that self-forgiveness is a misleading and inaccurate concept for understanding the conditions to which
it is applied. Besides the fact that traditional religion provides no rationale for self-forgiveness, four specific criticisms
are presented. (1) Self-forgiveness causes splitting of the self—creating various problems. (2) It involves a conflict of
interest between the self that judges and the self that is judged. (3) Through its extreme emphasis on the self, it promotes
narcissism and appeals to narcissists. (4) Research indicates that interpersonal forgiveness and self or intrapersonal forgiveness
involve different psychological processes. We conclude that self-acceptance is a more accurate and useful term for the process
and benefits attributed to self-forgiveness. |
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Keywords: | |
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