A team of researchers has decided to delve into the human psyche in order to solve an age-old, mystifying problem: whats the best way to make an apology? According to their study, published in the journal Negotiation and Conflict Management Research, the perfect apology contains six elements, but acknowledging and accepting responsibility for at least part of the perceived wrongdoing is by far the most important.
Each apology varied, and contained one, three, or all six components of what the researchers thought commonly exist in apologies:
1. Expression of regret
2. Explanation of what went wrong
3. Acknowledgment of responsibility
4. Declaration of repentance
5. Offer of repair
6. Request for forgiveness
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