Salem Witch Trials

Paper Summary:

This paper focuses on two concepts of sociology that can help to explain the illogical actions of the people of Salem. It describes the theory of fundamental attribution error, or the beliefs and judgment theory and the theory of religious prejudice. It examines each sociological issue in an attempt to show that, while many factors played a part in the atrocities of the Salem witch trials, there was perhaps no greater influence on behavior than the preconceived, prejudiced religious notions of a highly Puritan settlement in an era of unrest.

From the Paper:

"Osborne faired no better during examination, and the fundamental attribution error was the cause in this case, as well. Osborne claimed to have been bewitched, rather than being a witch herself. When asked for clarification, Osborne told a story of a dream when an Indian pinched her and dragged her to the front of her home. She also admitted to hearing a voice that instructed her not to attend church. She claimed to have disobeyed the voice, and attended church the following Sabbath. However, the examiner questioned why she had then not attended church is a year. Osborne claimed to have been extremely ill (Gragg, 1992)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aronson, E. (2004). The social animal. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
• Gilovich, T. (1991). How we know what isn't so: The fallibility of human reason in everyday life. New York, NY: The Free Press.
• Gragg, L. (1992). The Salem witch crisis. Westport, CT: Praeger.
• Knappman, E. (2004). Great American trials. New York, NY: Barnes and Noble Books.
• Linder, D. (2003). The witchcraft trials in Salem: a commentary. Retrieved Feb. 26, 2006, from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Web site: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM.

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