From Self-Reports of Personality to Perceptions of the Transgressors: Perceived Agreeableness as a Predictor of Post-Conflict Anxiety

by Tabak, Benjamin A

Following interpersonal transgressions, victims neuroticism and agreeableness have been previously associated with post-conflict anxiety and forgiveness. However, the perceptions that victims have about their transgressors personalities have received little attention. The current investigation examined relationships between victims neuroticism and agreeableness, their perceptions of their transgressors agreeableness, and postconflict anxiety and affiliative motivation measured via plasma cortisol and oxytocin as well as self-reports of post-conflict anxiety and forgiveness in premenopausal women. Victims who perceived their transgressors as more agreeable reported lower post-conflict anxiety, experienced less plasma cortisol reactivity following a simulated speech to the transgressor, and more self-reported forgiveness. Exploratory analyses also revealed that forgiveness was negatively associated with oxytocin reactivity.