scholarly journals Verbal framing and statistical patterns influence children's attributions to situational, but not personal, causes for behavior

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Peretz-Lange ◽  
Paul Muentener
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Causal Attributions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Attributional Bias ◽  
Situational Cues ◽  
Statistical Pattern ◽  
Attribution Bias ◽  
Observed Behavior

Adults from Western cultures attribute others’ behavior to personal causes more readily than situational causes; however, little research has explored the developmental origins of this attributional bias. Research has shown that children can use both the statistical patterns present in observed behavior, as well as the verbal framing of the behaviors, to infer personal causes. However, research has not explored whether children also use these factors to infer situational causes. The present study examined the impacts of statistical patterns and verbal framing on four- and six-year-old children’s (n = 218) attributions to personal and situational causes for behavior, as assessed by their explanations for characters’ interactions with toys. In a factorial design the statistical pattern of characters’ behaviors suggested either a personal or situational cause (or neither), and the experimenter’s verbal framing of the behaviors suggested either a personal or situational cause (or neither). Across age groups, children showed a bias toward providing personal explanations. Both statistical pattern and verbal framing influenced causal attributions, but both impacts were asymmetric such that situational cues increased situational explanations relative to neutral cues, but there was no difference in children’s explanations following personal and neutral cues. These results suggest that verbal framing and statistical patterns impact children’s developing social causal attributions, specifically with respect to situational causes, and also that a personal attribution bias emerges early in development.

Internal-External Control and Causal Attributions of Own and Others' Performance

1975 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donn L. Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Causal Attributions ◽  
External Factors ◽  
External Control ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
High Degree

In a 3 × 3 factorial design, 69 subjects with a high, medium, or low perceived internal control on Rotter's I-E scale judged the degree to which they thought three grades on a classroom examination resulted from effort and ability (internal factors) as opposed to type of test and luck (external factors). The three grades were the subject's own grade, the highest grade in class, and the lowest grade in class. Results showed that subjects with a high degree of internal control on the I-E scale attributed all three grades to internal factors significantly more than subjects with a low degree of internal control. Internal attributions were significantly higher for the highest grade in class than for the others.

Age, Sex, Speed, and Practice in Coincidence-Anticipation Performance of Children

1977 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Dunham
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
School Children ◽  
Elementary School Children ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Actual Time ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Effect Of Age ◽  
A Performance

The effect of age, sex, speed, and practice on coincidence-anticipation (C/A) performance of elementary school children was investigated. 84 elementary school children, 7 boys and 7 girls at Ages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 yr., served as subjects for the study. Subjects were given 24 C/A trials, 6 each at 4 speeds, randomly presented. Subjects were required to lift the foot off a spring switch in coincidence with the arrival of a ball at a target flag. A score was determined as the difference between actual time and the estimate as recorded on separate .01-sec. Lafayette timers. The data were analyzed employing a 6 by 2 by 4 by 3 factorial design. Results indicated that 7-yr.-olds performance was inferior to those of all other age groups, boys were more accurate than girls, and all groups exhibited improvement over practice.

Covariation, Causality, and Language

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udo Rudolph
Keyword(s):  
Causal Attributions ◽  
Causal Structure ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Implicit Beliefs ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Statistical Mediation ◽  
Effect Experiment ◽  
Sensitive Method

Implicit verb causality refers to the phenomenon that even minimal descriptions of interpersonal events (e.g., A dominates B, A amuses B) elicit causal attributions. Two experiments investigated whether children of different age groups are able to (a) perceive the causality implicit in interpersonal verbs and (b) to detect patterns of cause-effect covariation (consensus and distinctiveness) presumably mediating the verb causality effect. Experiment 1 found that 5-year-old children detect the causal structure inherent in verbs describing interpersonal events and are able to indicate corresponding covariation patterns. Experiment 2 replicated these findings for 3-year-old children using a more sensitive method for assessing causal and covariation beliefs. Statistical mediation analyses supported the hypothesis that the verb causality effect is mediated by implicit beliefs about cause-effect covariation. Taken together, the results provide support for a covariation-based explanation of the verb causality effect.

scholarly journals Early Programming of Obesity Throughout the Life Course: A Metabolomics Perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Rauschert ◽  
Franca F. Kirchberg ◽  
Linda Marchioro ◽  
Berthold Koletzko ◽  
Christian Hellmuth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Aromatic Amino Acids ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Early Programming ◽  
Metabolite Concentrations ◽  
Branched Chain ◽  
The Life Course

Background: Over the last decades, research on early life risk factors for obesity and its comorbidities in early life has gained attention within the field of developmental origins of health and diseases. Metabolomics studies that are trying to find early life biomarker and intervention targets for the early development of obesity and associated cardiovascular diseases could help break the inter-generational cycle of obesity. Summary: Metabolomics studies in the field of early programming are scarce and causality is lacking at this stage, as most of the studies are cross-sectional. The main metabolites in the focus of obesity are branched-chain and aromatic amino acids, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, lysophosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins. Sex and puberty have not been considered in most of the biomarker studies, but show differences in the metabolite associations to obesity. Key Messages: There is still a lot unknown about the associations between early programming exposures, metabolite concentrations, and the development of obesity. The few studies focusing on this topic find similar metabolite classes in the same age groups being associated with rapid early growth or obesity; but due to differences in the methodological and statistical approaches, the single species often differ. Therefore, more research, preferably with standardized approaches, is needed.

The Effect of Repetition on Truth Judgments across Development

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Fazio ◽  
Carrie Sherry
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Young Age ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Truth Effect ◽  
Research Studies ◽  
Illusory Truth Effect

According to numerous research studies, adults who hear a statement twice are more likely to think that it is true compared to when they have only heard it once. Multiple theoretical explanations exist for this “illusory truth effect.” However, none of the current theories fully explain how or why people begin to use repetition as a cue for truth. This preregistered study investigates those developmental origins in 24 5-year-olds, 24 10-year-olds, and 32 adults. If the link between repetition and truth is learned implicitly, then even 5-year-olds should show the effect. Alternatively, realizing this connection may require metacognition and intentional reflection, skills acquired later in development. Repetition increased truth judgments for all three age groups and prior knowledge did not protect participants from the effects of repetition. These results suggest that the illusory truth effect is a universal effect learned at a young age.

Intergroup Attribution

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Causal Attributions ◽  
Individual Behavior ◽  
Fundamental Attribution Error ◽  
Special Training ◽  
Integral Component ◽  
Intergroup Attribution ◽  
Ultimate Attribution Error ◽  
Attribution Error ◽  
Attribution Bias

Intergroup attribution refers to causal attributions that people make about the behavior of out-groups and their own in-group. Attribution theory began in the late 1950s and 1960s. This initial interest was limited to how individuals causally interpreted the behavior of other individuals. But in the 1970s social psychologists began to consider causal attributions made about groups. The guiding theory for research in this area has been largely structured by the predictions of the ultimate attribution error (more accurately described as the intergroup attribution bias). Its principal contentions flow from phenomena already uncovered by attribution research on individual behavior. It holds that group attributions, especially among the highly prejudiced, will be biased for the in-group and against out-groups. Ingroup protection (explaining away negative ingroup behavior as situationally determined – “given the situation, we had to act that way”) is typically a stronger effect than ingroup enhancement (accepting positive ingroup behavior as dispositionally determined – “as a people, we are kind and compassionate toward other groups”). Many moderators and mediators of the effect have been uncovered. Asian cultures, for example, tend to be less prone to the intergroup attribution bias, while strong emotions can induce either more or less of the bias. Similarly, empathy and special training can significantly reduce the bias. Together with such closely related processes as the fundamental attribution error and actor-observer asymmetry, the intergroup attribution bias has proven highly useful in a great variety of applications. Moreover, the intergroup attribution bias serves as an integral component of the intergroup prejudice syndrome.

Simultaneous effects of multiple cues in restaurant reviews

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther L. Kim ◽  
Sarah Tanford
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Cues ◽  
Situational Cues ◽  
Restaurant Reviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how consumers simultaneously process multiple cues for different dining occasions when making a restaurant decision. Design/methodology/approach This paper investigates the influence of priming (review prototype), effort (distance) and involvement (occasion) on restaurant evaluations, willingness to drive and willingness to pay for a restaurant meal. A 2 (prototype: negative, positive) × 2 (distance: close, far) × 2 (occasion: casual, special) between-subjects factorial design was used. Findings The paper finds that each variable influences a different outcome, whereby people rely on a review prototype for restaurant evaluation and choice, a distance cue for willingness to drive and a dining occasion for willingness to pay. Practical implications This paper suggests that restaurant marketers can highlight exemplary service through online reviews, increase profitability by promoting special occasions and geographically expand their market by attracting people to drive for a special dinner. Originality/value This paper evaluates the simultaneous interactive effects of multiple cues in service settings. It demonstrates that situational cues moderate the effect of primary cues in online reviews.

Age Similarity and Helping Intentions

1983 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoel Yinon ◽  
Irit Sharon ◽  
Bat-Ami Malkiman
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Other ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Two Independent Variables

Children, adolescents, adults, and pensioners were requested to collect books for either their own age group or any of the other age groups mentioned, in a 4X4 factorial design. Data analysis revealed main effects for both the age of the potential helper and recipient, as well as an interaction between these two independent variables. However, none of the age groups exhibited a tendency to help their own age group more than the other age groups. The findings' pattern is discussed in detail.

Physical Attractiveness Stereotype in Causal Attributions for Socially Undesirable Behavior

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Fredricks ◽  
Sidney J. Arenson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Attractiveness ◽  
Causal Attributions ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Attributional Bias ◽  
High Consistency ◽  
Physically Attractive ◽  
Undesirable Behavior

Causal attributions for socially undesirable behavior performed by physically attractive and unattractive stimulus persons were investigated among 144 men and women respondents. An attributional bias was predicted such that upon learning that a person has engaged in socially undesirable behavior in the context of a pattern of low consensus, low distinctiveness, and high consistency information, respondents would make more internal attributions for unattractive than for attractive persons. It was also predicted that respondents exposed to a pattern of high consensus, high distinctiveness, and high consistency information would make more external attributions for attractive than for unattractive individuals. These predictions were not confirmed. Although there was evidence for stereotyping of physical attractiveness, respondents (72 male and 72 female undergraduates) indicated no bias in the causal attributions made for the behavior of individuals differing in attractiveness. These findings suggest a limitation of the generality of the stereotype of physical attractiveness.

The Effect of Repetition on Truth Judgments Across Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 1150-1160
Author(s):  
Lisa K. Fazio ◽  
Carrie L. Sherry
Keyword(s):  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Young Age ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Truth Effect ◽  
Research Studies ◽  
Illusory Truth Effect

According to numerous research studies, when adults hear a statement twice, they are more likely to think it is true compared with when they have heard it only once. Multiple theoretical explanations exist for this illusory-truth effect. However, none of the current theories fully explains how or why people begin to use repetition as a cue for truth. In this preregistered study, we investigated those developmental origins in twenty-four 5-year-olds, twenty-four 10-year-olds, and 32 adults. If the link between repetition and truth is learned implicitly, then even 5-year-olds should show the effect. Alternatively, realizing this connection may require metacognition and intentional reflection, skills acquired later in development. Repetition increased truth judgments for all three age groups, and prior knowledge did not protect participants from the effects of repetition. These results suggest that the illusory-truth effect is a universal effect learned at a young age.

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