“It was right to do it, because .. .”

Abstract

We propose a theory of prescriptive attribution as a theoretical framework for research on the justification of actions. Justification is viewed as one possible strategy of account-giving necessitated by violations of socially shared standards of conduct. The theory makes two main assumptions. First, at the core of every justification is an at least implicit reference to a basic ethical principle. Second, justifications are in several respects similar to reason attributions; they can, therefore, be conceived of as “prescriptive attributions.” Variables that affect prescriptive attributions include factual characteristics of the action and its context, stable personality characteristics of the justifying person, and temporary motivational biases such as impression management concerns.