Forgiveness is crucial for moving on and creating a brighter future, especially in workplace environments where effective collaboration is essential. However, a study led by UC Riverside associate professor Michael Haselhuhn found that men who are concerned about appearing masculine are less likely to forgive co-worker transgressions. Men who view forgiveness as a feminine trait are more inclined to seek revenge or avoid the transgressor, leading to a less healthy and effective work environment. These men also perceive forgiveness as unmanly and are less likely to forgive.
Haselhuhn and his co-author Margaret E. Ormiston found that a simple intervention can reduce the unforgiving impacts of masculinity concerns. Study participants who were sensitive about their masculinity became more willing to forgive after describing experiences in which they felt they acted as real men. The researchers hypothesized that forgiveness carries gendered implications, with people who forgive being perceived as more feminine and less masculine. Men who are concerned about appearing masculine are least likely to forgive, based on the study’s findings.
The study, based on tasks performed by over 800 participants, determined men’s sense of masculinity by having them score the stress levels of situations that could challenge their manhood. In scenarios where a co-worker committed a transgression like missing an important meeting, men who were worried about maintaining their masculinity were less likely to forgive. Their concerns about maintaining masculinity led to a desire for revenge against the co-worker and avoidance of the transgressor, which can negatively impact a work environment.
Men who were concerned about their manhood became more forgiving when given the opportunity to describe experiences that made them feel like real men. However, those asked to describe more manly memories had difficulty recalling ten such memories, leading to frustration and remaining less forgiving. The study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, titled “Fragility and Forgiveness: Masculinity Concerns Affect Men’s Willingness to Forgive,” highlights the importance of forgiveness for mental and physical health and improving relationships with others.
Haselhuhn emphasized that forgiveness has numerous benefits, compared to seeking revenge or avoiding those who wronged you. Forgiveness can improve mental health, physical health, and relationships with others, enhancing overall well-being. The study contributes to existing research that can help individuals better understand and interact with one another in various settings. By addressing concerns about masculinity and promoting forgiveness, workplaces can foster healthier, more effective work environments where collaboration and communication thrive.
