A new study published in the British Journal of Psychology (via The Independent) has found that adding more words to your apology is more effective than a simple, “I’m sorry.”
The Recipe for a Perfect Apology
The research was headed by Dr. Sheri Levi-Ari, of the University of London, who has previously published studies on reducing bias against non-native speakers and shared global profanities. The results found that apologies which use bigger words are more effective than ones which use smaller, simpler words. One example given is that telling someone, “I’m genuinely sorry,” sounds more authentic than telling them, “I’m really sorry.”
“In the context of an apology,” Levi-Ari explained, “longer words reflect effort and may be interpreted as expressing greater remorse. An apology may appear more genuine if it costs someone more to say it—and that can mean the time taken to say or type long words.”
It’s the Words, Not the Volume
The study polled 49 people, asking them to rate verbiage which was similar but slightly altered. Participants were asked to evaluate statements such as: “I did not mean to answer in a hostile way”; “I did not mean to reply in a combative style”; and “I did not mean to respond in a confrontational manner.” They then rated them from least to most apologetic.
Though each sentence conveys the same point, participants unanimously concluded that the sentences which utilized longer, more complex words carried more emotional weight. However, it was found that while word length indicated remorse, word frequency did not. Therefore, a longer apology doesn’t mean a better apology.
“This paper shows that language users use longer words when apologizing than in their general communication, and that this strategy is effective, as people perceive apologies with longer words as more apologetic,” the study explained. “(It) suggests that modifying the effort in production, such as by using longer words, can already be effective in signalling greater remorse.”
