Self-compassion decreases acceptance of own immoral behaviors
Wang, X., Chen, Z., Poon, K. T., Teng, F., & Jin, S. (2017). Self-compassion decreases acceptance of own immoral behaviors. Personality and Individual Differences, 106, 329-333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.10.030
2016 Impact Factor 2.005 | 5-year Impact Factor 2.400
2016 JCR Rank 20/62, Q2 in Psychology, Social | 2016 SJR Rank 49/249, Q1 in Psychology - Miscellaneous
Abstract
Self-compassion, which is a kind attitude toward oneself, has been well documented to promote psychological health. This research extended the literature by examining how self-compassion would predict the acceptance of one's own immoral behavior. Study 1 recruited participants in China, measured their trait self-compassion, and instructed them to judge hypothetical moral transgressions. Study 2 recruited participants in the United States, manipulated state self-compassion, and measured judgments on real immoral behaviors. Two studies, with samples from different cultures, consistently revealed that higher self-compassionate people accepted their own moral transgressions less. These findings not only enrich the literature about how self-compassionate individuals react to their own moral violations but also link self-compassion to moral behaviors and concerns.