Attributionally More Complex People Show Less Punitiveness and Racism

• Main Authors: TAM, Kim-Pong, AU, Al, LEUNG, Angela K. Y.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2008
• Subjects: Attributional complexity; Need for cognition; Gender; Punitiveness; Racism; Prejudice; Personality and Social Contexts; Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/540; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/1539/viewcontent/AttributionallyComplexPeopleRacism_2008.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

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.