ABSTRACT
When reflecting on the offenses of others, it can be tempting to launch into self-righteous thinking. Whether people are reacting to a friend’s betrayal or watching a news story about an abusive parent, it can be natural to think, “What kind of person would do something so horrible? I would never do something like that.” By distancing themselves from other wrongdoers, people can gain temporary protection for their self-images. Yet, this kind of self-righteous thinking is likely to carry social costs. When people take a morally superior stance, they focus on differences rather than similarities between themselves and others. Empathy becomes difficult, and judgmental attitudes are likely to prevail. But what would happen if people took a different perspective, reflecting on their own shortcomings or misdeeds? We predicted that focusing on one’s own capability for wrongdoing could prompt a humble, empathic mindset that would promote forgiving attitudes and merciful judgments.
