The Pragmatic American: Attributions of Crime and the Hydraulic Relation Hypothesis

    Authors

    J. D. Unnever; J. K. Cochran; F. T. Cullen;B. K. Applegate

    Comments

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    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

    WOS:000277575800005

    ISSN

    0741-8825

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