ABSTRACT Objective Self‐compassion can help people when they make mistakes, but does it affect how people respond when falsely accused of making a mistake? In this research, we tested the hypothesis that self‐compassion is associated with lower levels of anger after a false accusation which, in turn, lowers the likelihood that people will attempt to challenge the accusation. Method In Studies 1A ( N = 422) and 1B ( N = 492), participants imagined that they were playing in an important tennis match and were falsely accused by an official of making an error. In Study 2 ( N = 346), participants completed an online survey that, at one point, displayed a message accusing them of plagiarizing one of their responses. Results In all studies, self‐compassion assessed prior to the accusation was negatively associated with levels of anger following the accusation. Anger, in turn, was positively associated with intentions to challenge the accusation (Studies 1A and 1B) and with the likelihood that participants brought the false accusation to our attention when given an opportunity to do so (Study 2). Conclusion This research shows that highly self‐compassionate people are not always ferocious and may be susceptible to being taken advantage of when facing false accusations.

Benjamin J. I. Schellenberg

Amy Geddes

Shaelyn Strachan

Daniel Bailis

Journal of Personality

Journal of Personality publishes scientific investigations in the field of personality. It focuses particularly on personality and behavior dynamics, personality development, and individual differences in the cognitive, affective, and interpersonal domains. The journal reflects and stimulates interest in the growth of new theoretical and methodological approaches in personality psychology.

The Journal of Personality publishes scientific research in the field of personality. It particularly focuses on the dynamics of personality and behavior, personality development, and individual differences in cognitive, affective, and interpersonal domains. The journal reflects and stimulates interest in the growth of new theoretical and methodological approaches in personality psychology.

《Journal of Personality》期刊发表有关人格领域的科学研究，特别关注人格与行为动态、人格发展以及认知、情感和人际交往领域的个体差异。该期刊反映并激发对人格心理学中新理论和方法论发展兴趣。

Category	Quartile
心理学	1
心理学, 心理学社会	2

When Self‐Compassion Lacks Ferocity: Anger and Responding to False Accusations

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL	1