The effects of blame and empathy on an observer's perceptions of a victim

Date Issued
March 1, 1981
Author(s)
Drake, Roger Allan
Advisor(s)
Eric D Sundstrom
Permanent URI
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted concerning derogation of victims. Earlier research had tried to test the hypothesis that an observer who blames victims does not necessarily derogate them. The research had failed to reach a conclusion because the victim had made a choice which would obviously lead to unpleasant outcomes. Experiment One of the present study assigned blame to a victim by describing the unpleasant outcome as being a result of choices made by the victim when he could not be expected to foresee the effect of those choices. The hypothesis was that when the victim was blamed, he would not be derogated. Participants were 120 college students who read of a nonvictim or of a low or high blame victim. The victim was rated on a set of 15 bipolar adjectives from which were subtracted similar ratings of the average college students. Result showed a derogation effect, with a nonsignificant trend supporting the hypothesis. Of three other measures, only the judgement of "worthy of my friendship" as compared to the average college student was consistent with predictions with a significant positive correlation with perceived responsibility and choice of the victim. This result supported the hypothesis because the victim with more perceived blame was judged to be more worthy of friendship.

Experiment Two tested the effects of empathy as a means of reducing derogation of a victim. The experiment attempted to manipulate empathy by describing equally unpleasant events with different probabilities of occurrence. The hypothesis was that participants would derogate a victim suffering from something that was unlikely to befall them, but iii IV would not derogate a victim of which that they themselves may suffer in the near future. Results failed to support the hypothesis. There was no derogation for either victim. Possible reasons for this finding were discussed with respect to applications for people who are seen by others as victims, such as the handicapped, ill, or bereaved.

Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Psychology
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