Attribution Theory Overview

Questions and Answers

What is the main premise of the Just-World hypothesis?

Life outcomes are entirely random and chaotic.

Individuals should remain neutral about others' circumstances.

People can predict events based on chance alone.

People operate under the belief that deserving determines outcomes. (correct)

Which concept did William J. Ryan introduce in 1971?

Victim blaming (correct)

Character judgment

Attribution theory

Just-World belief

According to the content, what effect does the Just-World hypothesis have on individuals?

It promotes an understanding of social injustices.

It provides comfort against helplessness by rationalizing misfortunes. (correct)

It diminishes the importance of character traits.

It encourages a feeling of vulnerability.

Which behavioral traits are associated with firm believers in the Just-World hypothesis?

<p>Higher levels of authoritarianism and religiosity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might someone blame victims of misfortune according to the Just-World hypothesis?

<p>To justify their own feelings of vulnerability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attribution Theory Context

Fritz Heider (1958): Initiated study on how individuals attribute causes to their surroundings and behavior.
Edward E. Jones and Keith Davis (1965): Proposed that attribution helps uncover a person’s basic nature through their behaviors and intentions.
William J. Ryan (1971): Coined "victim blaming," highlighting its role in justifying social injustices and racism.
Zick Rubin and Letitia Peplau (1975): Found a correlation between belief in a "Just World" and traits like authoritarianism, religiosity, and support for existing social structures.

Just-World Hypothesis

Core Belief: People inherently want to feel they live in a fair world where "people get what they deserve."
Psychological Comfort: Assumption of fairness contributes to feelings of control and stability.
Destructive Misconception: The belief in deserving outcomes can obscure reality, leading to harmful judgments about those suffering misfortune.
Rationalization of Events: The Just-World theory serves as a comforting explanation for random or chaotic events, maintaining a sense of order.
Victim Blaming Mechanism: Blaming victims serves as a defense against personal vulnerability, reinforcing the idea that misfortune is tied to personal failings rather than random chance.

Description

Explore the key concepts of attribution theory as presented by Melvin Lerner. This quiz delves into the historical context and evolution of how individuals attribute behavior and intentions to reveal underlying characteristics. Test your understanding of important psychological contributions from Heider, Jones, and Davis.