Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

8-2008

Abstract

Based on past findings that attributionally more complex people make less fundamental attribution error, it was hypothesized that they would show less punitiveness and racism. In a study of 102 undergraduates, this hypothesis received robust support. The effect of attributional complexity was significant in two different punitiveness measures, a rehabilitation support measure, and two different racism measures. Also, this effect still held when demographic variables, crime victimization history, and need for cognition were statistically controlled. Moreover, attributional complexity mediated the effect of need for cognition and gender on punitiveness and racism. Theoretical implications are discussed.

Keywords

Attributional complexity, Need for cognition, Gender, Punitiveness, Racism, Prejudice

Discipline

Personality and Social Contexts | Social Psychology

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Journal of Research in Personality

Volume

42

Issue

4

First Page

1074

Last Page

1081

ISSN

0092-6566

Identifier

10.1016/j.jrp.2007.11.002

Publisher

Elsevier

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2007.11.002

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