Perceived transgressor agreeableness decreases cortisol response and increases

Stress associatedwith interpersonal conflict can adversely impactmental and physical health—especially when it causes activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Among victims of interpersonal transgressions, certain personality characteristics (viz., neuroticismand agreeableness) have been associated in somestudieswith successful conflict resolution anddecreasedphysiological activity.Howvictims’ perceptions of their transgressors’ personalities affect conflict resolution and physiological reactivity, however, has not been examined. Here, we examined the relationships of (a) victims’ agreeableness and neuroticism, and (b) victims’ perceptions of their transgressors’ agreeableness and neuroticismwith plasma cortisol responses in women and (in a larger sample of men and women) forgiveness over time. Victims who perceived their transgressors as highly agreeable had (a) lower cortisol responses following a simulated speech to the transgressor, and (b) higher self-reported forgiveness, even after controlling for initial levels of forgiveness. Participants’ own agreeableness and neuroticism had negligible associations with cortisol response and forgiveness over time. © 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.