Running head: Self-Forgiveness: The Forgotten Step Child of Forgiveness 1
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Journal Article Review
Hamani Hurston
Liberty University
Thank you for your review, Hamani. Ideas are generally clearly expressed and you addressed
each section with relevant reflection. Please find additional comments/notations below.
Self-Forgiveness: The Forgotten Step Child of Forgiveness 2
Self-Forgiveness: The Forgotten Step Child of Forgiveness
Summary
The article “self- forgiveness: The forgotten step child of forgiveness” (Format title.
Review title in reference section for accuracy.) research and established a qualitative study
within the research of self-forgiveness. The authors state that self-forgiveness has been under
studied in the existing literature. For example, in the beginning of the article, the literature was
reviewed through using and asking the readers the definition of self-forgiveness. As stated in the
article, the working definition of self-forgiveness “as a set of motivational changes, whereby one
becomes decreasingly motivated to avoid stimuli associated with the offense, decreasingly
motivated to retaliate against the self and increasingly motivated to act benevolently toward the
self” (Hall & Fincham 2005, P. 622). Self-forgiveness is a positive step in life because forgiving
yourself embracing the peace someone has within oneself. It helps to let go of the negative
resentment or grudges that someone may be focusing on, in order to let go and established a
sense of peace. This article has examined the three concepts about self-forgiveness; being able to
forgive self and if self actually is entitled to be forgiving. For instance, in the process of self-
forgiving is regaining self-respect of one’s self (Holmgren, 1998); first, self-forgiveness requires
an objective fault or wrongdoing; second, negative feelings triggered by this offense must be
overcome, and, third, an internal acceptance of oneself must be achieved (Hall; J. H., &
Fincaham, F. D. 2005. P. 622). Throughout the article, the authors began to differentiate
between interpersonal forgiveness and self-forgiveness. Interpersonal forgiveness is forgiving
who did something to you and self-forgiveness is forgiving one’s self. They both require some
point of accountability overall. Also, Pseudo-forgiveness is another way for someone to not take
responsibility for his or her actions. Therefore, they are not accountable for their actions or
Self-Forgiveness: The Forgotten Step Child of Forgiveness 3
consequences. In addition, the authors also introduces the model of self-forgiveness. The authors
demonstrates that the model includes actions as far as denial, guilt, shame, self-awareness,
compassion, finding meaning, and a new purpose. In the end, the articles completes the research
by clarifying that the readers should study in a deeper concept in order to really grasp the ideal of
self-forgiveness. Good start with review. Consider how you might revise from one large
paragraph into smaller paragraphs to allow one main idea to be presented and developed in each
paragraph. This will allow for some elaboration of concepts and for a smoother flow of thought.
Reflection
From this research article, I did not think that self-forgiveness was established through a
deep concept. For example, the components mentioned in the article is very interesting know that
there were different components within self-forgiveness. When I think of self-forgiveness, I did
not consider that interpersonal, true forgiveness and pseudo-forgiveness were a part of the main
factors of self-forgiveness. Of course, in life everyone has had a time where they have used self-
forgiveness and they have been used daily with individuals. For instance, self-forgiveness could
be used towards goals within work, school, and even certain hobbies. Sometimes we do not
always accomplish every goal in life and we have to forgive ourselves in order to move forward.
Within interpersonal forgiveness is very important to have because sometimes we have to
forgive those who have done something to you. According to Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each
other and forgive one another, if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the
Lord forgave you”. That is a great example of interpersonal forgiveness because we should
forgive others because the Lord has forgave us, no matter the circumstances we have done in life.
In addition, true forgiveness was also mentioned in this article. It was a great concept to add
because true forgiveness is truly important for the readers to understand. I believe that you have
to understand
Self-Forgiveness: The Forgotten Step Child of Forgiveness 4
the steps and logic on your mistakes, in order to have true forgiveness. Without true forgiveness,
people would not be able to truly fix the situation and have a meaningful lesson on learning from
his or her mistakes. What if the situation cannot be fixed? Lastly, pseudo forgiveness was very
informative, based upon a person who is not taking responsibility and are not acknowledging the
wrong doing. That leads into the pseudo forgiveness resulting without a positive outcome. This
article has broken down the elements knowing your faults and underlying flaws in a situation.
This research article has gone into a deeper level of reelevating your life and learning the
mistake/lessons in life, in order to have another chance or different outcome in the future.
Letting go of guilt/shame could also help people move forward with less emotional baggage and
greater successful future outcomes in endeavors.
Application
By applying this study into a practice, I have learned that I could use enough information
to help those who are need of counseling on relationship problems. Within this application
process of this paper, a counseling session will be given to a military husband and wife that has
been married for four years. There Their main issue relates to unforgiveness within their
marriage. The husband comes off as controlling and selfish within their marriage. In life, a
relationship is not perfect and everyone has certain flaws. There are pros and cons within a
marriage that all couples will face. Sometimes in a marriage, someone may commit a sin
damaging their relationship. With this situation, the husband had an affair that damaged his
marriage. Furthermore, he showed a demonstration of pseudo-forgiveness because he believes
that he did not do anything wrong. The reason behind his affair was based upon his wife not
showing him enough attention within his marriage. During this session, he will not acknowledge
his wrong doing on the affair. However it is important to communicate on the issue on the
Self-Forgiveness: The Forgotten Step Child of Forgiveness 5
relationship. As far as the wife, she uses a sense of internal forgiveness because she believes that
if the Lord can forgive everyone for their sins, then she can do the same. She forgives her
husband regardless of his actions because she does not want to hold a grudge towards him. They
both want to work on their marriage, but I have requested that they both have to agree to
individual counseling session, in order to acknowledge the self-forgiveness within their selves.
Then after the individual counseling sessions, they can both come back to finish the
relationship/marriage session, in order to resolve with the correct forgiveness needed within their
marriage. I can see how the concepts could be applied here. For the topic of the article, consider
how you would focus (the process) on the person who may want to pursue self-forgiveness
(husband?). This
may be difficult if he does not acknowledge wrongdoing. Perhaps he is not in
the right place in his mindset for this
intervention.
Self-Forgiveness: The Forgotten Step Child of Forgiveness 6
Reference
Hall, J. H., & Fincham, F. D. (2005). Self-Forgiveness: The Stepchild of Forgiveness Research.
Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 24(5), 621-637.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1521/jscp.2005.24.5.621
Format reference entry
and heading for APA style.
