Graduate Program
Clinical Psychology
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2010
Thesis Director
Steve Scher
Thesis Committee Member
Ronan Bernas
Thesis Committee Member
Keith Wilson
Abstract
Many studies have evaluated the usefulness of remedial work ( apologies, excuses, and justifications) after a transgression or injustice has been committed. The present study tested the effectiveness of remedial work after a first, and then a second transgression. One hundred and sixty undergraduates read a vignette describing a social transgression. This was followed by either an apology, an excuse, a justification or no remedial work. After completing variables rating their reactions to the vignette, participants were asked to read a second vignette and to answer the same questions. During the analyses, two justifications used in the study were found to be non-equivalent and were excluded from further analysis. The study's primary dependent variable (perceived wrongness of the transgressor's actions) supported the prediction that excuses are the most effective form of remedial work after a first transgression. Results also supported the prediction that the second transgression for all variables was perceived to be worse. Predictions that were not supported, however, were that the remedial work showed to be no different from each other after a second transgression and that apologies were not significantly different from no remedial work given on the perceived wrongness variable. The study's limitations and ideas for future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Koth, John M., "The role of remedial work: A look at re-offending" (2010). Masters Theses. 627.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/627
