Cited by 1,793Social and Intergroup PsychologyMental Health Treatment and AccessPsychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment

An attributional analysis of reactions to stigmas

Weiner, Bernard, Perry, Raymond P., Magnusson, Jamie·1988·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Abstract

In two experiments, we examined the perceived controllability and stability of the causes of 10 stigmas. Guided by attribution theory, we also ascertained the affective reactions of pity and anger, helping judgments, and the efficacy of five intervention techniques. In the first study we found that physically based stigmas were perceived as onset-uncontrollable, and elicited pity, no anger, and judgments to help. On the other hand, mental-behavioral stigmas were perceived as onset-controllable, and elicited little pity, much anger, and judgments to neglect. In addition, physically based stigmas were perceived as stable, or irreversible, whereas mental-behavioral stigmas were generally considered unstable, or reversible. The perceived efficacy of disparate interventions was guided in part by beliefs about stigma stability. In the second study we manipulated perceptions of causal controllability. Attributional shifts resulted in changes in affective responses and behavioral judgments. However, attributional alteration was not equally possible for all the stigmas.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0022-3514.55.5.738

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Authors
Weiner, B., Perry, R. P., & Magnusson, J.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Venue
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Published
1988-11
Volume
55
Issue
5
Pages
738-748
ISSN
  • 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1315
OpenAlex
W1977654489
Cited by
1,793
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 47 · 2025: 63 · 2024: 63 · 2023: 83 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 72 · 2020: 68 · 2019: 102 · 2018: 70 · 2017: 114 · 2016: 82 · 2015: 82 · 2014: 79 · 2013: 89 · 2012: 76
FWCI
47.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH38014)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
Keywords
stigma, attribution theory, perceived controllability, perceived stability, pity, anger, helping behavior, stigma reduction interventions
MeSH terms
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Adult, Affect, Female, Persons with Disabilities, Humans, Internal-External Control, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Sick Role, Social Responsibility, Stereotyping

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