Mechanism of Bystander-Blaming: Defensive Attribution, Counterfactual Thinking, and Gender

This study highlights the bystander and investigates bystander-blaming by exploring some theoretical explanations, including counterfactual thinking, defensive attribution, and gender differences. The study included 363 young male and female participants, who read vignettes describing the behavior of the victim and the bystander in a rape scenario and answered questions regarding bystander-blaming. The results show that both counterfactual thinking and defensive attribution play a role in bystander-blaming. This article addresses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Articles Source Type: research