Dr James Kirby from UQ's School of Psychology featured in a Brisbane Times article discussing why men don't say sorry as often as women.
“Saying sorry can be perceived as a weakness, which would chip away at their masculine status,” Dr Kirby says.
“Also, men high in ‘traditional masculinity’ value not showing emotions, and when saying sorry we often show sadness, regret, remorse.
“Others can avoid saying sorry because they don’t want to be perceived as making a mistake or having done something wrong. In these instances, some people can see themselves as a ‘bad person’ if they have to say sorry.
“Saying sorry can be very therapeutic. But people can be very afraid of saying sorry.”
