General Versus Specific Victim Blaming

Abstract

The authors investigated (a) whether victim blaming is a general variable in a person's make-up or (b) whether the extent of blaming depends on the kind of victim considered. The authors evaluated scales for blaming (a) victims in general, (b) society in general, (c) a specific kind of victim (i.e., AIDS), and (d) the society in which AIDS victims live. The general and specific scales had favorable psychometric properties, including reliability. General and specific victim blaming were significantly and positively correlated, whereas victim blaming and society blaming were not significantly correlated. Multiple regression analyses provided evidence of construct validity for the scales. All blaming variables were significantly related in the hypothesized directions to social distance, social responsibility, and discrimination (regarding persons with AIDS). The general and specific scales made significant and unique contributions. Implications for attribution theory and research are specified.

The Impact of Labels and Behaviors on the Stigmatization of Adults with Asperger’s Disorder

“…Several modified scales have been found to have good internal consistency based on split-half reliability and coefficient alpha (Adewuya and Makanjuola 2005;Gureje et al 2005;Johnson et al 2002). Furthermore, the predictive validity of the social distance scale has been supported (Bethlehem 1977).…”

Stigma Towards PLWHA: The Role of Internalized Homosexual Stigma in Latino Gay/Bisexual Male and Transgender Communities

“…Attribution theory is a helpful framework to unpack how stigmatization may take place (Weiner, 1995). It posits that discriminatory behavior is determined by a cognitive-emotional process (Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan, & Kubiak, 2003; Johnson, Mullick, & Mulford, 2002). Individuals make attributions about the cause and controllability of a particular characteristic (e.g., being gay) or illness (e.g., AIDS) aversion, anger) that influence behavioral reactions (e.g., rejection).…”

Blaming the Victim: University Student Attitudes Toward Bullying

“…Much of the literature on victim-blaming attitudes has addressed issues of sexual violence (Haywood & Swank, 2008), domestic violence (Bryant & Spencer, 2003;Pierce & Harris, 1993;Riggs & O'Leary, 1996), and persons with terminal illnesses (Johnson, Mullick, & Mulford, 2002). Although these studies have addressed adult perceptions of victim blaming, including college student attitudes, the literature on victim blaming and bullying has primarily focused on the attitudes of school-age populations (Baldry, 2004;Boulton et al, 1999;Brown et al, 2011;Gini, 2008;Hara, 2002;Hymel et al, 2005;Menesini et al, 1997;Rigby, 2005;Rigby & Slee, 1991;Thornberg & Knutsen, 2011).…”