Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 33, No. 9, 2014, pp. 831-846
831
© 2014 Guilford Publications, Inc.
Address correspondence to Stephanie B. Richman, Westminster College, New
Wilmington, PA 16172; E-mail: richmasb@westminster.edu.
DISGUSTED BY VENGEANCE
RICHMAN ET AL.
DISGUSTED BY VENGEANCE: DISGUST
SENSITIVITY PREDICTS LOWER VENGEANCE
STEPHANIE B. RICHMAN
Westminster College
C. NATHAN DEWALL
University of Kentucky
RICHARD S. POND, JR.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
NATHANIEL M. LAMBERT
Brigham Young University
FRANK D. FINCHAM
The Florida State University
To forgive someone is to forsake vengeance. However, vengeful behavior could
also be decreased by motivational states that promote avoiding aggression. Dis-
gust sensitivity is one such state; elevated levels of disgust sensitivity are associ-
ated with less aggression. Heightened disgust sensitivity may therefore relate to
low levels of vengeance. Using data from a longitudinal study (N = 186), we ap-
plied Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques to examine the cross-lagged
effects of disgust sensitivity on vengeance toward a close friend. Controlling for
initial levels of vengeance, disgust sensitivity predicted lower vengeance one
month later. This research highlights the potential positive role of disgust sensitiv-
ity in promoting relationship well-being through its association with vengeance.