ABSTRACT
This chapter concerns the responses of other people to expressions of remorse by a person who commits an offensive or harmful action. A related interpersonal aspect of remorse is the interpersonal effect of remorse beyond expressions of remorse for that particular action, such as the continued effects of remorse or related emotions on the offender's interpersonal behaviour over a period of time. The theoretical and empirical literature from social psychology concerning remorse has focused on interpersonal relationships, professional behaviour and criminal behaviour. The quantitative review method of meta-analysis is then introduced as a useful way of summarizing the results of these studies concerning the effect of remorse on judgement and punishment. Behavioural signs of remorse include facial expressions, tone of voice, and signs of distress, such as crying. Affect control theory can embrace the influence of remorse on both judgements about and punishment of an offender.
