Implicit Attitudes of University Students in Regard to Forgiveness in the Colombian Armed Conflict

Objective. In this study, the implicit attitudes of University students were analyzed with regard to forgivingness towards ex members of the guerilla and paramilitary groups in the Colombian armed conflict. Method. Thirty University students in Bogota were measured with the IAT (Implicit Association Test) by using the response latency to measure the strength of the association between different concepts and an explicit questionnaire related to forgiveness. The analysis was made from functional contextualism and Relational Frame Theory. Results. There was found that participants presented a stronger association between the concepts of forgiveness and Guerilla, suggesting they would be more willing to forgive an ex member of this armed group. Conclusion. 1 Este articulo es resultado de un trabajo de grado para la Facultad de Psicologia de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, seccional Bogota. 2 Ph.D. Facultad de Psicologia, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Edificio 95-Manuel Briceno S.J. 2. piso. Carrera 5 No. 39-00. Bogota, D.C. Colombia. Correo de correspondencia: lopezw@javeriana.edu.co 3 Ph.D 4 Psicologo 5 Psicologa WILSON LOPEZ-LOPEZ, LUIS MANUEL SILVA, PABLO CASTRO ABRIL, ANGELICA CAICEDO MORENO 50 This investigation opens the possibility of further exploration on the subject of forgiveness in a post conflict scenario, including variables such as political position, age, and war experiences from a contemporary perspective.