Attitude toward offenders scale

Abstract

An offense can jeopardize interpersonal ties. When this happens, conflict erupts and disagreement appears. Arguments tend to start, accompanied by angry expressions and behaviors that might break up the relationship. At first there is a general feeling of discontent, accompanied by inappropriate behavior. There is always a situation before the crisis, when antagonism and the dysfunctional aspects of the relationship are processed. In this chapter we will focus on those behaviors manifested after the offensive situation. After conflict and disagreement appear, there is a process of withdrawal, which tends to involve many emotions, and which generates different reactions. This withdrawal tends to be accompanied by vindictiveness, resentment, revenge, feelings of vindication, guilt, fears, grief, anxiety and other emotions. The two people try to avoid each other. They look the other way; they do not want to see each other. This situation tends to become even more complicated with the participation of the friends or relatives of each person involved in the conflict, who may wish to show solidarity, provoke further animosity, or encourage reconciliation.