Forgiveness, memory, and emotions

Broadly, I am interested in understanding the relationship between memory, emotion, and forgiveness. Some authors suggest that forgiveness is tied to forgetting the offense. However, numerous examples challenge this notion, showing that people can remember wrongdoings and still release feelings of anger and resentment. This is particularly evident in contexts of war, where severe wrongs have been committed. While the saying “Forgive and Forget” is common, it is also frequent to hear people say, “Forgive but never forget.” A key part of my research takes place in Colombia with victims of the internal armed conflict.

My research employs a combination of in-depth interviews, physiological and behavioral assessments, and ethnographic methods.