Why Is Forgiveness Difficult?—An Exploration of Emotional States Associated With Acts of Forgiveness, Karma, and Revenge

Abstract

Forgiveness is an established, humanistic concept in counseling that may involve relational encounters to address conflict and process healing. Emotional distress and the capacity to forgive may be influenced by beliefs about forgiveness, karma, and revenge. Understanding emotional states associated with forgiveness, karma, and revenge can help counselors assist clients in working through conflict and forgiveness. The purpose of this study was to explore the variation of emotional states associated with forgiveness, karma, and revenge. Eighty-one participants received three randomized prompts related to forgiveness, karma, and revenge. Participants responded after each prompt and completed the Discrete Emotions Questionnaire. Raters recorded a rating of intensity for each response. Using a within-subjects design, differences were found in participants’ emotional states and intensity after disclosing life events related to each of the prompts. Implications for humanistic counseling include the navigation of emotional states tied to forgiveness, karma, and revenge.