Attribution of Blame Toward Offenders: Victim and Offender Ethnicity, and Observer Ethnic and Religious Background

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nir Rozmann ◽  
Inna Levy
Keyword(s):  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Cultural Background ◽  
Minority Threat ◽  
Ethnic Affiliation ◽  
Attribution Of Blame ◽  
Defensive Attribution ◽  
Defensive Attribution Theory ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Practical Implications

This study focuses on the effects of victim/offender ethnic affiliation and cultural background of observers on attitudes toward offenders. To examine the effect of cultural background, we compared offender attribution among Christian Arabs ( n = 51), Muslim Arabs ( n = 249), and Jews ( n = 285). The participants were students from several Israeli universities and colleges. The age range was 18 to 33 years ( M = 20.23, SD = 2.67), and the majority were female (75.6%). The participants read a version of a vignette describing a case of a stabbing, and then rated the offender’s blame. In different versions of the crime scenario, we manipulated victim and offender ethnicity: two victim (Arab/Jewish) and three offender (African/Arab/Jewish) types. The results indicate that, in general, participants blamed African offenders more than Arab or Jewish offenders. Although the results show that differences in offender blaming between Arab and Jewish participants were not statistically significant, there is an interaction between participant cultural background and victim ethnicity in regard to offender blaming: Participants attributed more blame to offenders who stabbed a victim belonging to the same ethnic group as the participants. Overall, the results support defensive attribution theory, suggesting that observer attitudes toward offenders tend to be affected by similarity in ethnic affiliation. The discussion addresses the findings through the perspectives of cultural reciprocity, defensive attribution theory, and minority threat theory. It also acknowledges the limitations related to the specific cultural and geopolitical context of this research. Practical implications for practitioners and policymakers include training and increased ethnic diversity among professionals and experts working within the criminal justice system.

Locus of Control and Judgments about Another's Accident

1973 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Steven Schiavo
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Stimulus Person ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Chemical Laboratory ◽  
Defensive Attribution ◽  
Defensive Attribution Theory

Female Ss scoring internal and external on Rotter's scale rated the personal characteristics and responsibility of a stimulus person who experienced a chemical laboratory accident which varied in severity and type of consequences. Consistent with a strategy of denying threat, Internals reported that they were less like the accident perpetrator than did Externals, but contrary to predictions did not hold the person more accountable. Contrary to other studies and defensive attribution theory no support was found that the stimulus person's responsibility and characteristics were assigned on the basis of the accident's consequences.

A cognitive process model of trust repair

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward C. Tomlinson ◽  
Christopher A. Nelson ◽  
Luke A. Langlinais
Keyword(s):  
Structural Change ◽  
Organizational Justice ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Cognitive Process ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Causal Attribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust Repair ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how the reparative efforts of extensive apologies, compensation and structural change affect trust after a violation has occurred. Specifically, this paper presents a cognitive process model positing that voluntary reparative efforts will shape the victim’s stability attributions for the cause of the violation such that it will be deemed less stable (i.e. unlikely to recur); as a result, the victim is more likely to perceive the transgressor as being fair, and hence extend subsequent trust. Design/methodology/approach Two experiments were conducted to test the cognitive process model. Findings The results of both experiments supported this predicted sequence for extensive apologies. Support for the predicted sequence was also found when compensation and structural change are invoked as reparative efforts. Originality/value This research has theoretical and practical implications for a more nuanced understanding of how causal attribution theory and organizational justice theory can be integrated within the context of trust repair.

Understanding the difference of values-based motivation of managerial workers in spa businesses in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pornlapas Suwannarat
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cultural Background ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Collection Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Asean Countries ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study focuses on variations of the importance of core values through motivational domains of individuals by their cultural background. The effect of motivational domains on operational performance has also been investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe study used survey as the main data collection method to elicit data from managerial workers in spa businesses in four regions of Thailand. An unpublished database of spa businesses was provided to the study by the Thai Chamber of Commerce.FindingsSignificant variations of the importance of motivational domains of managerial workers can be found according to the subculture of each of the four regions of Thailand. In addition, the motivational domains have found their significant impact on worker operational performance.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the limitations of this study may be the distribution of samples because the study focuses on spa businesses, most of which in each region are located in big tourism provinces that may not be wholly representative of the characteristics of each region.Practical implicationsThis study will be of practical value for practitioners or managers of any firms since it is important to consider value variations when assessing the operational performance; workers, especially managerial workers, in each subculture may have different priorities in the motivational domains of their lives. This could affect their operational performance.Originality/valueThis is an original attempt to ascertain variations of core values through motivational domains by subculture. It fills a knowledge gap in under-researched area in the literature since so far a few studies have examined this issue in the ASEAN countries.

scholarly journals VISITORS’ CHARACTERISTICS AND DESTINATION IMAGE: THE CASE OF NIGERIAN ZOOS

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 1410-1417
Author(s):  
Omolola Oluwakemi AJAYI ◽  
◽  
Tembi M. TICHAAWA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Tourism Destinations ◽  
The Right ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

When compared to in situ conservation sites like national parks and game reserves in Nigeria, zoos are the most visited wildlife tourism destinations given their proximity to people and close interactions with wildlife. This study explored the characteristics of visitors and the image they possess about zoos. A total of 1529 visitors were sampled using a structured questionnaire in four prominent Nigerian zoos in the southwest zone. The results revealed that the majority of visitors were single, young and mid adult male and female Nigerians within the age range of 18 -37 years. The foremost image of visitors about a zoo is that of close wildlife experience, recreation and entertainment, however, conservation was least acknowledged. Only age was found to have a significant relationship with the destination image. The st udy concludes that zoo managers should continually employ various strategies in projecting the right image of zoos. The study extends current re search on zoos by highlighting so far, the uninvestigated image of zoos in Nigeria and documenting practical implications.

A Mixed Method Study of Intimate Partner Violence: How Sex and Severity Impact Perpetrator Prior Involvement, Abnormality, and Responsibility

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 897-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Savage ◽  
Jennifer A. Scarduzio ◽  
Kate Lockwood Harris ◽  
Kellie E. Carlyle
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Intimate Terrorism ◽  
Male Perpetrators ◽  
Female Perpetrators ◽  
Defensive Attribution Theory ◽  
Method Approach

This study employed a mixed method approach to examine the effects of participant sex, perpetrator sex, and severity of violence on perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. Quantitative participants (n = 449) completed a survey and qualitative participants (n = 31) participated in a focus group or an interview. Participants believed that it was more likely male perpetrators had prior involvement in IPV. Participants rated stories of female perpetrators as more abnormal than stories of male perpetrators. Participants in the weak severity of violence condition had lower evaluations of responsibility than the strong or fatal severity of violence conditions and only women were discerning about perpetrator sex in their ratings of responsibility. Theoretical implications extend intimate terrorism and defensive attribution theory.

scholarly journals Attribution of responsibility for sexual crimes beyond individual actors – construction of responsibility of offenders, victims and society in laypersons’ explanations

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-374
Author(s):  
Riikka Kotanen ◽  
Johanna Kronstedt
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Attribution Of Responsibility ◽  
Female Agency ◽  
Sexual Crimes ◽  
Attribution Of Blame ◽  
Micro Level

This study analyses laypersons’ explanations for sexual violence. It focusses on how the responsibility for sexual crimes is constructed and attributed, and moreover, what kind of effect this has on the attribution of blame. The research data consist of 105 opinion pieces published in the leading Finnish newspaper since the beginning of the 21st century. The theory-driven qualitative analysis utilises attribution theory and focusses on laypersons’ interpretations and explanations for unusual acts and events deviating from social norms. Attribution theory is commonly utilised in relation to micro-level actors, the offender and the victim, whereas in this article, it is broadened to include also society as a macro-level actor. The analysis reveals that the construction of responsibility derives from (I) the chronological presentation and explanation of sexual crimes; especially (II) the causality attached to chronological phases, which emphasises the victim’s actions prior to the crime; and (III) the construction of active female agency against male passivity or absence of the perpetrator. Moreover, blame is based on a combination of active agency, produced in the analysed explanations, and stereotypical features connected to female gender (e.g. rape myths).

scholarly journals Maintaining ethnic dominance: Diversity, power, and violent repression

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 640-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lasse Lykke Rørbæk ◽  
Allan Toft Knudsen
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Ethnic Composition ◽  
Republic Of Guinea ◽  
Ethnic Affiliation ◽  
Per Se ◽  
The Republic

While ethnically diverse countries are generally believed to be more violent than homogenous ones, previous research has been unable to establish a clear connection between ethnic diversity and violent repression. We argue that political authorities’ tendency to violently repress their citizens cannot be explained by the ethnic composition of society per se but by the power distribution between ethnic groups. In a global sample of countries for the period 1977–2010, we find statistical evidence that the level of violent repression increases with the share of the population excluded from state power on the basis of ethnic affiliation. We combine this with a case study of the Republic of Guinea and conclude that political authorities come to see excluded ethnic groups as threats and rely on violent repression to maintain their ethnic dominance.

Attributions and peer harassment

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Graham
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
Ethnic Composition ◽  
Causal Beliefs ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
The Social ◽  
Peer Harassment

Attribution theory is used as a conceptual framework for examining how causal beliefs about peer harassment influence how victims think and feel about themselves. Evidence is presented that victims who make characterological self-blaming attributions (“it must be me”) are particularly at risk of negative self-views. Also examined is the influence of social context, particularly the ethnic composition of schools and classrooms. It was found that students who were both victims of harassment and members of the majority ethnic group were more vulnerable to self-blaming attributions. In contrast, greater ethnic diversity, that is, classrooms where no one group was in the majority, tended to ward off self-blaming tendencies. Studies of peer harassment are a good context for examining one of the main themes of the special issue, which is how the social context (e.g., peer groups, ethnic groups) influences the way individuals think and feel about themselves.

scholarly journals “My daughter is not like that”: A qualitative study of parental perception on child sexual abuse risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Eelmaa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Protection Mechanism ◽  
Specific Risk ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Protection Mechanisms ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Defensive Attribution Theory

The aim of this study was to explore parental beliefs on the risk of CSA, specifically victim- and perpetrator-specific risk of child sexual abuse to their children, as well as parents' approaches to protecting their children. Data were collected from 22 parents during focus group interviews (n=6) combined with activity-oriented questions. Based on data, four perpetrator and two victim-specific risk profiles were created. When parents find similarities between their children and perceived victims or perpetrators, it triggers the defensive othering effect, which acts as a subconscious protection mechanism, yet often creates inaccurate risk assessment and false confidence. The findings also tender that most parents do not teach their children the necessary skills related to CSA since they determine the risk to be low. This study adds to our understanding of CSA-related risk perception and prevention approaches, offering a conceptual addition to the defensive attribution theory. Further investigation is needed on the impacts of the cognitive processes and psychological protection mechanisms in relation to CSA risk assessment. The data from this study will be useful in developing CSA prevention programs and materials.

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