Revisiting the Power of Apology: A Bayesian Meta-analysis
A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effects and associations of apologies with forgiveness and unforgiveness (e.g., aggression, revenge) by synthesizing data from 87 journal articles, including both experimental and correlational studies, using Bayesian methods. The meta-analysis revealed that apologies were positively associated with forgiveness (Z = .34) and were shown to promote forgiveness (d = .37). Apologies were also negatively associated with unforgiveness (Z = -.23), and were effective in reducing unforgiveness (d = -.45). Subgroup analyses revealed the influence of moderators such as relationship type, transgression context, and unforgiveness measures. The Bayesian framework, underutilized in social psychology, offers nuanced insights through direct probability statements and adjustments for potential bias. This research not only synthesized past research on the role of apologies in conflict resolution but also highlighted the value of Bayesian meta-analysis in psychological research.