Forgivingness

Abstract

This study first examined the factorial structure of the responses of Congolese participants to a willingness-to-forgive questionnaire already used on European samples. The same two factors, revenge and circumstances, were found. The second aim was to examine the overall level of willingness to forgive expressed by Congolese as compared to that found in European samples. The hypothesis that the Congolese are less willing to seek revenge than the Europeans was supported by the data. The third aim was to study possible Congo-Europe differences in the way education, religious practice, and other characteristics are related to revenge and circumstances. On overall propensity to forgive, Congolese men and women did not differ as much as did European men and women, and Congolese people attending and nonattending church did not differ as much as did European people attending and nonattending church. Forgiveness may be more characteristic of collectivistic cultures than of individualistic cultures.