Nathaniel Lambert, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University; Frank D. Fincham, Family and Child Sciences, Florida State University; Nathan C. DeWall and Richard Pond, Psychology Department, University of Kentucky; Steven R. Beach, Psychology Department, University of Georgia.
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Shifting toward cooperative tendencies and forgiveness: How partner-focused prayer transforms motivation
Article first published online: 5 JUL 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2012.01411.x
Copyright © 2012 IARR
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How to Cite
LAMBERT, N., FINCHAM, F. D., DEWALL, N. C., POND, R. and BEACH, S. R. (2013), Shifting toward cooperative tendencies and forgiveness: How partner-focused prayer transforms motivation. Personal Relationships, 20: 184–197. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2012.01411.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 4 MAR 2013
- Article first published online: 5 JUL 2012
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Several studies tested whether partner-focused prayer shifts individuals toward cooperative tendencies and forgiveness. In Studies 1 and 2, participants who prayed more frequently for their partner were rated by objective coders as less vengeful. Study 3 showed that, compared to partners of targets in the positive partner thought condition, the romantic partners of targets assigned to pray reported a positive change in their partner's forgiveness. In Study 4, participants who prayed following a partner's “hurtful behavior” were more cooperative with their partners in a mixed-motive game compared to participants who engaged in positive thoughts about their partner. In Study 5, participants who prayed for a close relationship partner reported higher levels of cooperative tendencies and forgiveness.