Year: 2001
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Social cognition theory promotes the idea that an individual’s knowledge \nstructures, values, and beliefs will influence perceptions of the world in particular \nways (Abrams & Hogg, 1999; Kunda, 1999). Differences in locus of control, \nattributional style, and belief in a just world have been shown relevant in shaping \ninterpretations of behaviors and situations (e.g., Miller, 1984; Calhoun, 1994; Karuza \n& Carey, 1984). There is evidence that a specific combination of these factors may \ncreate the recipe for an ideology of blame in which individuals are likely to blame \nothers for their condition and to derogate those in undesirable circumstances \n(Crandall, 1994). \nPrevious research suggests that the individualist value orientation is more \nsubject to the types of attitudes that might promote this ideology of blame. However, \nrelatively few studies have sought to link these attitudes and beliefs with individuallevel \nmeasurements of collectivist/individualist tendencies, which are known as \n vi \nallocentrism and idiocentrism. When faced with evidence that the world is on a trend \ntoward becoming more individualist (Triandis, 1997; Hui & Yee, 1994), it becomes \nmore important to explore the values and beliefs that may lead individuals to a set of \ncognitions that foster prejudice toward certain others whose condition can be seen as \neither controllable or uncontrollable. \nThis dissertation begins by bringing together the research on \nindividualism/collectivism and idiocentrism/allocentrism, locus of control, belief in a \njust world, and attributions of personal blame to explore relationships that may be \nuseful for predicting negative attitudes toward criminals, homosexuals, fat people, \nand poor people. \nEvidence does not support the existence of an ideology of blame. Rather, \nnegative attitudes toward stigmatized others are best described as stemming from an \nelement of fear. Multiple regression models are described for predicting \nAnticriminal, Antipoor, Antifat, and Antihomosexual Attitudes among men and \nwomen. In addition, methods for altering attitudes are discussed and one possible \neducational application is presented.
Author: Lisa Noelle Terry
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2105320578