Roots of Forgiveness
The fact that human beings have become and remain the dominant life forms on this planet rests not solely on the fact that we possess a larger, more complex brain, but on those higher cognitive functions which that brain provides. One of the most distinguishing of these is forgiveness, an act that is virtually non-existent among other animals. The act of forgiveness can be explained using many psychological theories ranging from psychoevolutionary, to cognitive, to social-learning. However, before any explanation can be given, it is necessary to describe those events prior to forgiveness. If you're in the position to forgive or not forgive a person, that person has undoubtedly caused you distress in some specific manner. Distress is described as a negative response to stress, while stress is regarded as a set of neurophysiological reactions that exist to serve an adaptive purpose. The work of Hans Selye provided the base for many of today's theories regarding stress. Selye described a three-stage General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) to illustrate the body's response to stressors. In the initial stage of alarm, the body recognizes the stressor and gathers resources to assist in a fight or flight situation. I
Therefore, some people choose not to forgive those who have wronged them as a means of punishment for their actions. Specialization of skills meant that each person was equally important to the unit. Noticeable physiological responses also occur in this first stage to further prepare the body for flight or flight. When you compare the emotions of the person in need of forgiveness with those felt by the one forgiving, you will see that they exhibit equal amounts of negative affect. It would make no sense to kill the only toolmaker or the only farmer in the group over a petty dispute. The offender does experience optimistic feelings in hoping for redemption, while the forgiving person feels empathy for the guilt and fear expressed by the offender. A more prudent course of action would be to first evaluate how the offending person's actions have affected your life (positively or negatively) and through a continuous loop of cognitive appraisals as described by psychologists such as Lazarus and Folkman, find a way to cope with these states. During this stage, the glucocorticoids still in the bloodstream after the adaptive response is made can contribute to a loss of weight, increased stomach acidity, and changes in body temperature. Such attitudes contribute nothing positive to the future of society: most notably our children. The question exists then: are we justified in not forgiving someone who is blame-worthy? To some, the refusal of forgiveness not only administers a punishment for the offending action, but also insures against repeat offenses for fear of further punishment. Though forgiveness may eliminate the stress, immediate forgiveness is by no means a recommended strategy. The latter of these choices is outlined in Selye's third and final stage: exhaustion. Upon stimulation, the pituitary gland secretes an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphins, which influence our ability to make adaptive responses, contributes to feelings of euphoria, and stimulates the adrenal cortex. Once the forgiving person realizes that the offender is experiencing the same amount of negative affect as them, the two negative feelings are canceled out, leaving only empathy and optimism. Therefore, the human psyche developed the capacity to forgive, thereby strengthening the species as a whole.
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