Contrition

Contrition refers to a sincere remorse for having committed wrongdoing, typically accompanied by a commitment to repair the harm caused and to refrain from repeating the offense. It involves both an affective component (genuine sorrow or guilt) and a volitional component (a decision to change one’s behavior and seek forgiveness). Contrition is often distinguished from mere regret or from apologies that lack an internal sense of responsibility.

In religious contexts, contrition is a central element of repentance. In Catholic theology, contrition is sorrow for sin grounded in the recognition of God’s goodness, together with a firm purpose of amendment. A distinction is sometimes made between perfect contrition (sorrow out of love for God) and imperfect or attritional contrition (sorrow caused by fear of punishment). Other religious traditions describe related processes of turning away from wrongdoing and returning to right conduct; Islam speaks of tawba (repentance) and Judaism of teshuva (return), both involving remorse, confession, and renewed intention.

In psychology and ethics, contrition is studied as part of moral emotions and interpersonal apology. It contributes to the perceived sincerity of apologies, the repair of trust, and the willingness of others to grant forgiveness. The experience of contrition can vary in intensity and duration and may be influenced by cultural norms surrounding guilt and responsibility.

In legal and social contexts, expressions of contrition can influence judgments, sentencing, or parole decisions but are not themselves a formal standard of culpability. Regardless of context, contrition is generally valued to the extent it accompanies genuine accountability and concrete steps toward amending harm.