Condit Interview: More Than ``I'm Sorry'' Is Needed, Says Shrink.News Editors LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2001 An apology without all the facts will not be effective for Gary Condit Gary Adrian Condit (born April 21, 1948) is an American politician, a "Blue Dog" Democrat who served in the House of Representatives from 1989 to 2003. Condit represented California's 18th congressional district, the northern San Joaquin Valley (when he was first elected, this during his Thursday interview, said a media psychologist and researcher who has analyzed recent public displays of regret from celebrities and politicians. But done right, expressions of regret can deflect criticism, create sympathy and touch on the public's beliefs about the value of confession and contrition con·tri·tion n. Sincere remorse for wrongdoing; repentance. See Synonyms at penitence. Noun 1. contrition - sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation contriteness, attrition . "Condit has to apologize in a straight face and solemn tone, and it must look voluntary and sincere, not too rehearsed as he attempts to reach out to thousands of his angry constituents," said Dr. Robert R. Butterworth, a Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. psychologist who will be analyzing the Condit interview on Thursday. Condit has agreed to appear on ABCNEWS' PrimeTime Thursday, when he will speak out for the first time since intern Chandra Levy Chandra Ann Levy (April 14 1977 – circa May 1 2001) was an intern who worked at the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington, D.C., who disappeared in the spring of 2001 and was subsequently found murdered in Rock Creek Park. vanished from Washington on May 1. "Research indicates that most people are receptive to `apologies' when individuals make mistakes, but next they want reassurance that they will fix the problem, to clean up the mess or make sure it never happens again. An apology without some kind of solution will not fly...Mere empty words Noun 1. empty words - loud and confused and empty talk; "mere rhetoric" empty talk, hot air, palaver, rhetoric hokum, meaninglessness, nonsense, nonsensicality, bunk - a message that seems to convey no meaning and good body language without actions could actually make things worse for Condit," said Butterworth. The perfect apology, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the psychologist, consists of some combination of "I'm ashamed, I've learned my lesson" and "I won't do it again." An apology without strong moral atonement atonement, the reconciliation, or "at-one-ment," of sinful humanity with God. In Judaism both the Bible and rabbinical thought reflect the belief that God's chosen people must be pure to remain in communion with God. will not carry any moral weight. "An apology is a good thing, as long as it isn't a substitute for action. Saying I'm sorry is pure symbolism, but symbolism can be very, very important. The fine art of apology and contrition is the focus of entire college courses, dissertations and books, but such expressions can be very effective or fall flat on their face," said Butterworth. The psychologist is available in Los Angeles to discuss the psychological implications of the Condit interview and its aftermath. |
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