Title
The Pragmatic American: Attributions of Crime and the Hydraulic Relation Hypothesis
Abbreviated Journal Title
Justice Q.
Keywords
public opinion; attribution theory; punitiveness; JUVENILE CAPITAL-PUNISHMENT; DEATH-PENALTY ATTITUDES; DISPOSITIONAL; ATTRIBUTION; CAUSAL ATTRIBUTION; PUBLIC SUPPORT; LESS PUNITIVENESS; COGNITION; RACISM; JUSTICE; ERROR; Criminology & Penology
Abstract
Attribution theory argues that a ohydraulic relationo exists between dispositional and situational attribution styles, causing people to endorse one style at the expense of the other. That is, attribution theorists predict that there should be a strong negative relationship between attribution styles. We test this prediction using data collected in Hillsborough County (Tampa), Florida, and two national polls. Our investigation shows that, rather than a bifurcated view of crime causation, Americans manifest a complex attributional style that views crime emerging from multiple sources. We discuss how these findings reveal that the American public tends to be not ideological but pragmatic in its view of crime causation and, ultimately, in the crime control policies it is willing to endorse.
Journal Title
Justice Quarterly
Volume
27
Issue/Number
3
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Document Type
Article
Language
English
First Page
431
Last Page
457
WOS Identifier
ISSN
0741-8825
Recommended Citation
"The Pragmatic American: Attributions of Crime and the Hydraulic Relation Hypothesis" (2010). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 876.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/876
Comments
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