An Attribution Model of Social Conflict and Violence: From Psychological to Intergroup Phenomena
An Attribution Model of Social Conflict and Violence: From Psychological to Intergroup Phenomena
Author
Betancourt, Héctor; Loma Linda University
Abstract
This work begins with an analysis of an attribution-emotion model of conflict and violence based on research on individual and interpersonal phenomena. The logic and feasibility of applying psychological knowledge based on the study of individuals to more complex social problemas such as intergroup and social violence are discussed. Then, a version of the model adapted for the study of intergroup conflict and violence is presented. Specifically, previous work on the ultimate attribution error is re-examined and the principle reformulated in order to account for group biases in the relevant aspects of attributional thinking, emotions, and violence of responses to frustration or instigation in conflict enviornments. Finally, evidence from studies designed to test the new model, extended to account for intergroup and related social phenomena, is discussed. <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:ES-TRAD;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> This work begins with an analysis of an attribution-emotion model of conflict and violence based on research on individual and interpersonal phenomena. The logic and feasibility of applying psychological knowledge based on the study of individuals to more complex social problemas such as intergroup and social violence are discussed. Then, a version of the model adapted for the study of intergroup conflict and violence is presented. Specifically, previous work on the ultimate attribution error is re-examined and the principle reformulated in order to account for group biases in the relevant aspects of attributional thinking, emotions, and violence of responses to frustration or instigation in conflict enviornments. Finally, evidence from studies designed to test the new model, extended to account for intergroup and related social phenomena, is discussed.