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New research from Dr. Shiri Lev-Ari at Royal Holloway University of London reveals that the effectiveness of an apology can be enhanced through the use of longer, familiar words. This study provides insight into how the effort put into crafting an apology can influence its perceived sincerity.
Apologies often face skepticism, as many consider them easy to deliver without true remorse. However, psychological studies indicate that sincere apologies can promote healing and forgiveness. The latest research suggests that the choice of words plays a significant role in how genuine an apology is perceived.
Lev-Ari conducted two studies to investigate the relationship between word length and the sincerity of apologies. In the first study, she analyzed apology tweets from 25 celebrities and 25 non-celebrities, finding that these apologies typically featured longer words compared to their non-apology tweets. The second study involved participants assessing various apologies with differing word lengths and commonness. Results indicated that longer-worded apologies were consistently rated as more sincere, regardless of the words’ commonness.
The findings emphasize that the effort involved in selecting longer words can signal deeper remorse. For those looking to convey a heartfelt apology, it may be beneficial to choose slightly more complex but still understandable words. For example, using “regret” instead of “sorry” or “inconsiderate” instead of “bad” can enhance the impact of the apology.
This research underscores the importance of communication style in expressing remorse. By taking extra care with word choice, individuals may bridge the gap between regret and reconciliation, fostering stronger connections and understanding.
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