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Scientists reveal how to make the perfect apology
How to make the perfect apology: Scientists reveal the six keys to saying you are sorry
- The more elements in your apology, the more effective it is
- 'Request for forgiveness' is the least important element in the list
- Less likely to accept apology if people show a lack of integrity
- Eye contact and appropriate expression of sincerity are important
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We all have to apologize sometimes - and researchers have now revealed how to make it count.
Researchers found six key elements that make your apology more meaningful, and say two elements are the most critical to having someone accept it.
The study found admitting you are at fault and offering to repair the damage are key components when expressing remorse.
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WHAT ARE THE SIX ELEMENTS TO THE PERFECT APOLOGY? - Expression of regret
- Explanation of what went wrong
- Acknowledgement of responsibility
- Declaration of repentance
- Offer of repair
- Request for forgiveness
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'Apologies really do work, but you should make sure you hit as many of the six key components as possible,' said Roy Lewicki,of The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, who led the study.
The team conducted two studies to explore how 755 people reacted to apologies containing anywhere from one to all six of the components.
The list includes: Expression of regret, explanation of what went wrong, acknowledgement of responsibility, declaration of repentance, offer of repair and request for forgiveness.
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The team says hitting each point on the list is sure to win back the trust you may have lost, but there may be occasions when one is pressed for time or space.
If you need to reconcile the relationship right away, researchers say there are two elements that are most critical to having someone accept your apology.
'Our findings showed that the most important component is an acknowledgement of responsibility,' Lewicki said.
'Say it is your fault, that you made a mistake.'
The second most important element was an offer of repair.
'One concern about apologies is that talk is cheap,' he said.
'But by saying, 'I'll fix what is wrong,' you're committing to take action to undo the damage.'
The following three elements were all ranked third in effectiveness: expression of regret, explanation of what went wrong and declaration of repentance.
And the final component, a request for forgiveness can be left 'out if you have to', researchers say.
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WHAT DID THE STUDY FIND ABOUT APOLOGIES? - In both studies, the more components that the apology contained, the more effective it was rated.
- And the request for forgiveness was seen as the least important of all the elements.
- The value of each of the six components was the same whether the apology was related to failures of competence or integrity.
- But overall, participants were less likely to accept apologies when the job applicant showed a lack of integrity versus a lack of competence.
- Lewicki noted that, in this work, participants simply read apology statements.
- Eye contact and appropriate expression of important when you give a face-to-face apology.
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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...#ixzz45iczk5Ix
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