Two experiments ( N = 487) tested the effects of receiving an apology (absent, present) and restitution (absent, present) in imagery of a one-sided transgression and common property crime, a burglary scenario. Within a framework of accountability, apology and restitution represent relationally responsive responsibility-taking and repair efforts by a perpetrator. Experiments 1 and 2 found that a thorough apology and restitution each decreased unforgiveness while eliciting increased empathy and forgiveness from student and community samples, respectively. Experiment 2 found that a custody condition consistent with a perpetrator’s willing accountability for wrongdoing (i.e., spontaneous confession with surrender) decreased unforgiveness while increasing empathy and forgiveness in comparison to a custody condition in which the offender was being held accountable externally (involuntary apprehension) or a no-custody control condition. This experimental evidence points to offender accountability efforts through apology, restitution, and surrender as important for decreasing victims’ unforgiving motivations and promoting their empathy and forgiveness.

中文翻译：

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道歉和赔偿：罪犯责任反应影响受害者的同理心和宽恕

两个实验 (N = 487) 测试了接受道歉（缺席，在场）和赔偿（缺席，在场）在单方面违法和共同财产犯罪（入室盗窃场景）的图像中的效果。在问责框架内，道歉和赔偿代表了肇事者的责任承担和修复努力。实验 1 和 2 发现，彻底的道歉和赔偿都可以减少不宽恕，同时分别引起学生和社区样本的同情和宽恕。实验 2 发现，监护条件与肇事者愿意为不法行为承担责任一致（即，自首的自发认罪）减少了不宽恕，同时增加了同理心和宽恕，与罪犯在外部被追究责任（非自愿逮捕）或无监护控制条件的拘留条件相比。这一实验证据表明，通过道歉、赔偿和自首对罪犯进行问责对于减少受害者的无情动机和促进他们的同理心和宽恕很重要。