Review: “Interventions Studies on Forgiveness: A Meta-analysis” by Baskin T. and Enright R. Essay (Critical Writing)

May 24, 2021 by Essay Writer

Summary

The article explores various aspects of forgiveness on the victims of unfair or inconsiderate acts. The article discloses that forgiveness is vital for the psychological well-being. Once a victim deals with the resentment, he/she can progress on in life. However, most victims are unwilling to open up and forgive.

As such, they project their resentment as anger towards other people in their lives. Thus, many victims who are unwilling to forgive have difficulties creating lasting relationships in their lives. Forgiving is a process which requires a cautious approach.

The specialists assisting victims should facilitate the process by assuming a cautious approach, which will enable their victims express their feelings at their own convenience. Examples provided reveal that forgiveness is a psychological remedy for some of the emotional strains that victims of offensive acts encounter.

The article investigates various clinical methods that would assist people in the process of forgiving their offenders. Initials research had unearthed three methods (Baskin & Enright, 2004).

The three methods differed in the way in which they undertook counselling. The differences were procedural and in terms of the design. The first and the second model were procedural. Nonetheless, the third was straightforward and required the victim to write-down his/ her frustrations.

There are varieties of models, which seek to analyze forgiveness, but they also differ on certain philosophical basis. The philosophical variations in the intervention mean that they also differ in the manner they undertake counselling.

Consequently, the processes have different results owing to the way in which they handle victims. The article culminates in a study, which seeks to evaluate if the methods of intervening can be classified into one category. This is established by utilizing data from subjects on forgiveness (Baskin & Enright, 2004).

Interaction with the article

According to the article, forgiveness is critical if an individual is to fight resentment that arose from being hurt. Forgiveness is a process. It allows the hurt individual to review his/her feelings with regard to the offender. Consequently, the person can choose to forgive or not. The research into forgiveness is exceedingly systematic.

The methodologies utilized are adequate and provide insight to human psychological tendencies. The study of interventions reveals disparity in forgiveness patterns among the subjects. This is because people are different in character and many other aspects.

The disparity in character emanates from differences in upbringing and the values an individual cherishes. Some people are more willing to forgive while others are adamant. These variations in personality can account for the variation in forgiveness patterns.

The researchers have attempted to curtail these variations by choosing subjects that fit within certain constrains.

The factors considered in choosing the subjects could be age or the nature of traumatic events, which caused resentment. However, some of the studies failed to consider such factors (Baskin & Enright, 2004).

Forgiveness is bound to vary among people of different age groups and gender. Children are more willing to forgive owing to innocence and inexperience in matters pertaining to life. Women are more forgiving than their male compatriots are.

Nevertheless, they do not forget easily. The studies seem to overlook such factors. The forgiveness pattern revealed in the research undertaken will be largely applicable to a certain group that have experienced traumatic events of a certain nature. Forgiveness is a subjective matter.

Hence, most of the details that emerge form this research may be irrelevant in many scenarios. Every victim should be approached in a unique manner.

The psychologist should first develop a rapport with the victim. Based on the initial interaction, the psychologist should form an opinion on the approach to adopt (Baskin & Enright, 2004).

Application of the information in the article

The article provides insight into the importance of forgiveness. Many people suffer from psychological strain owing to resentment. Forgiveness provides a platform to address various emotions. The article highlights that allowing the victim to reveal the emotional pain they are experiencing is key to forgiveness.

In the church, members come to the pastor with a variety of social and psychological issues. The issues may entail depression, stress and substance abuse. The first step the pastor should undertake is to sympathise with the victims. Subsequently, the pastor or counsellor should set up meetings.

The pastor should encourage the victims to undertake counselling. However, the pastor should be satisfied with the victims’ willingness to undertake therapy.

The pastor should be a facilitator only providing guidance to the victims. This will ensure that the victim takes some charge in the process. The victim should participate actively in the process.

When the victims participate actively, he/she understands why it is imperative to undertake counselling. Initially, most victims are unwilling to open up in detail with regard to what triggered their problem, which could be grief, depression, abuse or drug use.

At this juncture, the pastor should assist the victims to come into reality with their emotional or psychological status. Most of the victims normally deny existence of such problems, yet there are symptoms indicating its existence.

Once the victim admits, the pastor should then focus on the healing process, which may involve forgiveness, or speaking to the offenders.

References

Baskin, T. & Enright, R. (2004). Interventions studies on forgiveness: A meta-analysis. Journal of Counselling & Development, 82, 79-82.

Read more