An Attribution-Affect-Action Theory of Behavior

Abstract

Four self-contained experimental conditions (N = 496) examined the relations between perceived controllability, emotional reactions of anger and sympathy, and judgments of helping behavior. In accordance with prior findings, it was confirmed that an attribution-affect-action path captures the motivational process in this domain. Controllable causes of a need state give rise to anger, which, in turn, evokes neglect, whereas uncontrollable causes of a need state elicit pity, which, in turn, generates judgments of help-giving. These paths were not altered by self-focus and other-focus (empathy) instructions or by instructions to ignore feelings and concentrate on the objective situation. General issues pertaining to helping and affect were examined.