A cognitive (attribution)-emotion-action model of motivated behavior: An analysis of judgments of help-giving.

TLDR

Attributions to internal controllable factors are thought to elicit negative affect and avoidance, whereas attributions to uncontrollable factors are expected to produce positive affect and promote help. The study conducted six experiments to examine how causal attributions and affect influence judgments of help‑giving, testing hypotheses about an attribution‑affect‑action model. The authors used a series of experimental and correlational designs, manipulating causal dimensions (locus, stability, control) and presenting scenarios of a drunk or disabled individual, to assess how attributions affect help judgments and compare this approach to other conceptions. Help ratings were lowest for internal controllable causes, and the data supported a temporal attribution‑affect‑action sequence where attributions shape feelings that drive behavior.

Abstract

Six experiments examined the relations of causal attributions and affect to judgments of help-giving. The first experiment considered the influence of three dimensions of causality (locus, stability, and control) on judgments concerning the lending of class notes. Ratings of help were lowest when the cause of the need was internal to the actor and was controllable (e.g., lack of effort). It was suggested that ascriptions to internal controllable factors maximize negative affect (disgust and anger) and promote avoidance behavior. On the other hand, attributions to uncontrollabl e factors (e.g., ability or teacher shortcomings) were anticipated to generate positive affect (sympathy) and give rise to approach behavior (help). The next five experiments examined these hypotheses and an attributional model of helping, using a simulational, judgment paradigm with both correlational and experimental designs. These investigations utilized scenarios describing a drunk or a disabled individual in need of aid (from Piliavin, Rodin, & Piliavin), The data suggested a temporal sequence of attributionaffect-action in which attributions guide our feelings, but emotional reactions provide the motor and direction for behavior. Comparisons and contrasts were made between this approach to helping and other conceptions.