Theories of Social Psychology

Paper Summary:

The paper compares the attribution theory and the altruism and the bystander effect theory, which are both concerned about influences on behavior. The paper explains how the attribution theory is basically concerned with how other people as observers see the behavior, while the bystander effect theory focuses on the bystander who acts or who does not act. The paper shows how although these two theories are very different, they can be used together.

Outline:
Introduction
Attribution Theory
Altruism and the Bystander Effect Theory
Attribution Theory and Bystander Effect Theory Compared
Strengths and Weaknesses
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Attribution refers to assumptions about why people behave as they do (Rathus, 2007). Attribution is a matter of looking at other people's motives and traits for explanations of their behavior. There are two types of attribution. The first is dispositional attribution and sees people's behavior in terms of their personality and of these people having free will. The second type is situational attribution which sees human behavior as resulting from social factors (Rathus, 2007). In our society, people usually blame the person instead of social conditions so that dispositional attribution is the most common form."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Corrigan, P. (2003). An attribution model of public discrimination towards persons with mental illness. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 44 (2), 162-175.
• Levine, M. (2004). Identity, place, and bystander intervention. The Journal of Social Psychology, 144 (3), 229-246.
• Lynch, A. (2005). Bystander approaches. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 97 (3), 24-34.
• Rathus, S. (2007). Psychology: Concepts and connections, 8th edition. Toronto: Thomson Wadsworth.
• Young, K. & Smith, A. (2005). Crime and punishment. Journal of Service Research, 8 (2), 162-181.

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