[learning objectives]
The Stanford Forgiveness Projects are a series of research projects
that investigate the effectiveness of a specific forgiveness methodology.
The initial project was a dissertation study and subsequent projects
have looked at forgiveness in relationship to interpersonal hurt
in a variety of situations. In each study people who had an unresolved
hurt were taught to forgive in a group format through lecture, guided
imagery, cognitive disputation and discussion. This presentation
will briefly review some of the studies to show the efficacy of
this particular forgiveness methodology.
- Study One: Stanford Forgiveness Project: 259 community dwelling
adults in the SF Bay Area, average age 41. Final assessment is
4 and one half months after the six week 90 minute session forgiveness
training ended. Largest study to date on the training and measurement
of the effects of interpersonal forgiveness. Recruitment was for
any unresolved interpersonal hurt that did not include a current
experience of physical or sexual violence. 70% decrease in feelings
of hurt: 13% reduction in long- term experience of anger: 27%
reduction in physical symptoms of stress (back ache, dizziness,
sleeplessness, headache, stomach upset, etc.) 15% decrease in
emotional experience of stress: 34% increase in forgiveness for
person that hurt them: 105% more willing to forgive in other hypothetical
situations.
- Study Two: Stanford Northern Ireland HOPE1 Project: 5 women
( 2 Catholics and 3 Protestants) who had an immediate family member
murdered were brought to Stanford and spent a week learning how
to forgive. Four of the women had their son’s murdered.
Final assessment is 6 months after forgiveness training ended.
60% decrease in feelings of hurt: 25% decrease in long-term experience
of anger: 42% decrease in depression: 50% decrease in emotional
experience of stress: 28% increase in optimism: 40% increase in
forgiveness towards person that hurt them:
- Study Three: Stanford Northern Ireland HOPE2 Project: 17 men
and women (9 Catholic and 8 Protestants) who had an immediate
family member murdered spent one week at Stanford learning how
to forgive. 37% reduction in feelings of hurt: 11% decrease in
long-term experience of anger: 20% decrease in depression: 12%
decrease in emotional experience of stress: 35% decrease in physical
symptoms of stress: 12% increase in physical vitality (energy
level, appetite, and sleep patterns).
- Study Four: - The Effect of Forgiveness Training on Financial
Service Advisors: Thirteen American Express Advisors and three
Vice Presidents were given in workshop format a one day training
in emotional competence focusing on forgiveness. Each advisor
was offered follow up was through 4 conference calls over the
subsequent year. First cohort completed. Reduction of 25% seen
in stress. Participants showed a gain of 20% in positive emotion
and an increase of 18.3% in gross sales. The rest of their market
group showed a corresponding gain of 10.4% in gross sales over
the year.
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