Forgiveness Scale

Abstract

The Forgiveness Scale is a specialized psychometric instrument developed by Rye and colleagues in 2001 designed to measure an individual’s level of forgiveness following a specific interpersonal transgression. Unlike earlier unidimensional measures, this scale operationalizes forgiveness as a two-factor construct, distinguishing between the cessation of negative feelings and behaviors and the cultivation of positive feelings and behaviors toward the transgressor. The scale is brief, consisting of 15 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale, making it highly suitable for research involving interpersonal conflict resolution and positive psychology.

The instrument is particularly noted for its clear delineation between two subscales: the Absence of Negative component, which captures reductions in resentment, avoidance, and hostile rumination; and the Presence of Positive component, which assesses the active promotion of goodwill, compassion, and peaceful interaction with the person who caused harm.

Keywords

Forgiveness, interpersonal conflict, psychological assessment, two-factor model, psychometrics, resentment, compassion, transgression, psychological scale, positive psychology.

Authors

Rye, Mark S., Loiacono, Dawn M., Folck, Chad D., Olszewski, Brandon T., Heim, Todd A., and Madia, Benjamin P.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Forgiveness Scale is to provide researchers and practitioners with a robust and precise tool for quantifying the complex psychological process of forgiveness in response to a specific, identified injury or wrongdoing. It aims to move beyond simple self-reports of ‘having forgiven’ by capturing the behavioral, affective, and cognitive dimensions of this process.

The scale’s specific design allows for the differential assessment of two critical components of forgiveness: the active letting go of negative emotions (such as anger and resentment) and the deliberate adoption of positive attitudes (such as compassion and good wishes). This distinction is crucial for understanding the therapeutic and psychological mechanisms underlying successful resolution of interpersonal harm.

Construct

The Forgiveness Scale measures Interpersonal Forgiveness, conceptualized as a multidimensional construct comprising two orthogonal factors, as detailed in the original 2001 study. This definition aligns with modern perspectives in positive psychology, recognizing that forgiveness is not merely the absence of negative affect but also the presence of constructive, positive affect and intentions toward the transgressor.

• Absence of Negative (AoN): This subscale measures the degree to which the wronged individual has ceased experiencing destructive emotions (e.g., hatred, resentment, depression) and behaviors (e.g., avoidance, rumination, revenge-seeking) directed toward the offender. Items 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 contribute to this factor.
• Presence of Positive (PoP): This subscale measures the active manifestation of constructive emotions and intentions, such as wishing well for the transgressor, feeling compassion, praying for them, or feeling peaceful upon potential encounter. Items 2, 6, 7, 13, and 15 contribute to this factor.

Validity

The original validation study of the Forgiveness Scale demonstrated strong evidence of its construct and concurrent validity. Construct validity was established through factor analysis (detailed below), supporting the theorized two-factor structure. The distinction between the Absence of Negative and Presence of Positive factors suggests that these are related but separate dimensions of the forgiveness process.

Concurrent validity has been supported by findings showing that the scale scores correlate logically with established measures of related constructs. For instance, the Absence of Negative subscale typically shows strong negative correlations with measures of hostility, depression, and anxiety, while the Presence of Positive subscale generally correlates positively with measures of empathy, spiritual well-being, and overall adjustment. These correlations affirm that the scale measures the intended aspects of emotional and relational healing.

Reliability

The reliability of the Forgiveness Scale, specifically its internal consistency, was reported to be excellent in the initial psychometric properties evaluation. High internal consistency, typically measured using Cronbach’s alpha, indicates that the items within the scale are highly correlated and measure the same underlying construct. Both the overall scale and its individual subscales generally exhibit alpha coefficients well above the standard acceptable threshold of 0.70 in research samples.

The separate reliability indices for the Absence of Negative and Presence of Positive subscales further reinforce the instrument’s utility, ensuring that researchers can confidently utilize these two components independently in analyses of therapeutic outcomes or psychological correlates.

Factor Analysis

Factor analysis was central to the development and validation of the Forgiveness Scale. The authors employed exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques which strongly supported a two-factor oblique solution. This empirical structure confirms the theoretical stance that forgiveness involves two distinguishable processes: the letting go of ill will and the cultivation of goodwill.

The finding that the factors are oblique (correlated, but not perfectly) suggests that while reducing negative feelings is often a prerequisite or companion to developing positive feelings, they are not simply endpoints on a single continuum. This clear factor structure provides a robust foundation for the scale’s use in research requiring precise measurement of these dual components of forgiveness.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report psychological inventory.

Format: 15 items, scored on a 5-point Likert response scale.

Language Available: English (Primary).

Population Group: General adult population reporting a specific interpersonal transgression.

Age Group: Adults (18+).

Population Details: Participants are typically asked to focus on a specific person who has wronged them when responding to the items.

Test Methodology: Respondents rate their agreement with each statement using the following structure: 5= Strongly Agree, 4=Agree, 3=Neutral, 2=Disagree, 1=Strongly Disagree. Items 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 14 are reverse coded for scoring the total scale and the Absence of Negative subscale.

Keywords

Psychological measurement, interpersonal forgiveness, Rye, two-factor analysis, Absence of Negative, Presence of Positive, emotional healing, psychometric instrument.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in the source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not specified in the source material.

Correspondence Address: Not specified in the source material.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 2001.

Permissions and Fee: Information regarding permissions and usage fees should be directed to the primary author, Mark S. Rye, or the journal publisher, Current Psychology (Springer). The scale is widely used in academic research.

Reference’s

Rye, Mark S., Dawn M. Loiacono, Chad D. Folck, Brandon T. Olszewski, Todd A. Heim, and Benjamin P. Madia. 2001. “Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of Two Forgiveness Scales.” Current Psychology 20(3):260–277.

The full text of the instrument and its initial evaluation can be found in the journal article, which is available online. The original PDF can be downloaded here: http://pages.uoregon.edu/bolszews/CPforgiveness.pdf

Items of the Forgiveness Scale

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. I can’t stop thinking about how I was wronged by this person.
2. I wish for good things to happen to the person who wronged me.
3. I spend time thinking about ways to get back at the person who wronged me.
4. I feel resentful toward the person who wronged me.
5. I avoid certain people and/or places because they remind me of the person who wronged me.
6. I pray for the person who wronged me.
7. If I encountered the person who wronged me I would feel at peace.
8. This person’s wrongful actions have kept me from enjoying life.
9. I have been able to let go of my anger toward the person who wronged me.
10. I become depressed when I think of how I was mistreated by this person.
11. I think that many of the emotional wounds related to this person’s wrongful actions have healed.
12. I feel hatred whenever I think about the person who wronged me.
13. I have compassion for the person who wronged me.
14. I think my life is ruined because of this person’s wrongful actions.
15. I hope the person who wronged me is treated fairly by others in the future.

Scoring Key:

• Reverse code items: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14.
• Absence of Negative subscale items: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14.
• Presence of Positive subscale items: 2, 6, 7, 13, 15.