The moderating role of culture on offenders’ power and motivation to apologize

After hurting someone, an effective way to reconcile relationships and repair harm is to apologize. Apologizing is a process that involves expressing regret, and acknowledging wrongdoing and responsibility. For individuals from Western cultures that value independence, apologies are often resisted as one must give up their power. Conversely, individuals from Eastern cultures that value interdependence readily offer apologies.
One factor that may uniquely influence both Canadian and Japanese offenders’ willingness to apologize is social power. Power is associated with greater rewards as powerful individuals depend less on others and have the freedom to act in ways consistent with their goals.
My work has shown powerful compared to powerless individuals from Canada are less likely to apologize. I predict powerful compared to powerless offenders from a Japan will be more willing to offer an apology. The proposed research will test this effect and explore theoretical mechanisms that explain why.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ward Struthers

Student:

Partner:

Kobe University

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

University:

York University

Program:

Globalink Research Award