ATTRIBUTION OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DISSONANCE REDUCTION

HARUKI SAKAI; KIYOSHI ANDOW

doi:10.4992/psycholres1954.22.32

HARUKI SAKAI, KIYOSHI ANDOW

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1980 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 32-41

DOI https://doi.org/10.4992/psycholres1954.22.32

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Published: June 30, 1980 Received: August 13, 1979 Available on J-STAGE: February 24, 2009 Accepted: - Advance online publication: - Revised: -
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Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : ARONSON, E. 1968 Dissonance theory: Progress and problems. In R. P. Abelson, E. Aronson, W. J. McGuire, T. M. Newcomb, M. J. Rosenberg, & P. H. Tannenbaum (Eds.), Theories of cognitive consistency: A sourcebook. Chicago: Rand-McNally, Pp. 5-27.
BREHM, J. W., & COHEN, A. R. 1962 Explorations in cognitive dissonance. New York: Wiley.
BREHM, M. L., BACK, K. W., & BOGDONOFF, M. D. 1964 A physiological effect of cognitive dissonance under stress and deprivation. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 303-310.
CARLSMITH, J. M., ELLSWORTH, P. C., & ARONSON, E. 1976 Methods of research in social psychology. California: Addison-Wesley.
COOPER, J. 1971 Personal responsibility and dissonance: The role of foreseen consequences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 18, 354-363.
DETWEILER, R. A., & ZANNA, M. P. 1976 Physiological mediation of attitudinal responses. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 107-116.
EAGLY, A. H., & HIMMELFARB, S. 1978 Attitudes and opinions. Annual Review of Psychology, 29,517-554.
FESTINGER, L. 1957 A theory of cognitive dissonance. Evanston, Illinois: Row, Peterson.
GLASS, D. C., & MAYHEW, P. 1969 The effects of cognitive processes on skin conductance reactivity to an aversive film. Psychonomic Science, 16,72-74.
GREENWALD, A. G., & RoNIs, D. L. 1978 Twenty years of cognitive dissonance: Case study of the evolution of a theory. Psychological Review, 85, 53-57.
LANA, R. E. 1969 Pretest sensitization. In R. Rosenthal & R. L. Rosnow (Eds.), Artifact in behavioral research. New York: Academic Press, Pp. 121-140.
LOTT, A. J., & LOTT, B. E. 1974 The role of reward in the formation of positive interpersonal attitudes. In T. L. Huston (Ed.), Foundations of interpersonal attraction. New York: Academic Press, Pp. 171-189.
NEL, E., HELMREICH, R., & ARONSON, E. 1969 Opinion change in the advocate as a function of the persuasibility of his audience: A clarification of the meaning of dissonance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 12, 117-124.
ROSENBERG, M. J. 1965 When dissonance fails: On eliminating evaluation apprehension from attitude measurement. Journal of Personaliy and Social Psychology, 1, 28-42.
SOGIN, S. R., & PALLAK, M. S. 1976 Bad decisions, responsibility, and attitude change: Effects of volition, foreseeability, and locus of causality of negative consequence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 300-306.
SOLOMON, R. L. 1949 An extension of control group design. Psychological Bulletin, 46, 137-150.
WICKLUND, R. A., & BREHM, J. W. 1976 Perspectives on cognitive dissonance. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
WORTMAN, C. B. 1975 Some determinants of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31, 282-294.
ZIMBARDO, P. G., COHEN, A., WEISENBERG, M., DWORKIN, L., & FIRESTONE, I. 1969 The control of experimental pain. In P. G. Zimbardo (Ed.), The cognitive control of motivation. Atlanta: Scott, Foresman and Company, Pp. 100-125.

Right : ARONSON, E. 1968 Dissonance theory: Progress and problems. In R. P. Abelson, E. Aronson, W. J. McGuire, T. M. Newcomb, M. J. Rosenberg, & P. H. Tannenbaum (Eds.), Theories of cognitive consistency: A sourcebook. Chicago: Rand-McNally, Pp.5-27.
BREHM, J. W., & COHEN, A. R. 1962 Explorations in cognitive dissonance. New York: Wiley.
BREHM, M. L., BACK, K. W., & BOGDONOFF, M. D. 1964 A physiological effect of cognitive dissonance under stress and deprivation. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 303-310.
CARLSMITH, J. M., ELLSWORTH, P. C., & ARONSON, E. 1976 Methods of research in social psychology. California: Addison-Wesley.
COOPER, J. 1971 Personal responsibility and dissonance: The role of foreseen consequences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 18, 354-363.
DETWEILER, R. A., & ZANNA, M. P. 1976 Physiological mediation of attitudinal responses. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 107-116.
EAGLY, A. H., & HIMMELFARB, S. 1978 Attitudes and opinions. Annual Review of Psychology, 29, 517-554.
FESTINGER, L. 1957 A theory of cognitive dissonance. Evanston, Illinois: Row, Peterson.
GLASS, D. C., & MAYHEW, P. 1969 The effects of cognitive processes on skin conductance reactivity to an aversive film. Psychonomic Science, 16, 72-74.
GREENWALD, A. G., & RoNIS, D. L. 1978 Twenty years of cognitive dissonance: Case study of the evolution of a theory. Psychological Review, 85, 53-57.
LANA, R. E. 1969 Pretest sensitization. In R. Rosenthal & R. L. Rosnow (Eds.), Artifact in behavioral research. New York: Academic Press, Pp.121-140.
LOTT, A. J., & LoTT, B. E. 1974 The role of reward in the formation of positive interpersonalattitudes. In T. L. Huston (Ed.), Foundations of interpersonal attraction. New York: Academic Press, Pp.171-189.
NEL, E., HELMREICH, R., & ARONSON, E. 1969 Opinion change in the advocate as a function of the persuasibility of his audience: A clarification of the meaning of dissonance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 12, 117-124.
ROSENBERG, M. J. 1965 When dissonance fails: On eliminating evaluation apprehension from attitude measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1, 28-42.
SOGIN, S. R., & PALLAK, M. S. 1976 Bad decisions, responsibility, and attitude change: Effects of volition, foreseeability, and locus of causality of negative consequence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 300-306.
SOLOMON, R. L. 1949 An extension of control group design. Psychological Bulletin, 46, 137-150.
WICKLUND, R. A., & BREHM, J. W. 1976 Perspectives on cognitive dissonance. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
WORTMAN, C. B. 1975 Some determinants of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31, 282-294.
ZIMBARDO, P. G., COHEN, A., WEISENBERG, M., DWORKIN, L., & FIRESTONE, I. 1969 The control of experimental pain. In P. G. Zimbardo (Ed.), The cognitive control of motivation. Atlanta: Scott, Foresman and Company, Pp.100-125.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: PDF FILE Details: -

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : ARONSON, E. 1968 Dissonance theory: Progress and problems. In R. P. Abelson, E. Aronson, W. J. McGuire, T. M. Newcomb, M. J. Rosenberg, & P. H. Tannenbaum (Eds.), Theories of cognitive consistency: A sourcebook. Chicago: Rand-McNally, Pp.5-27.
BREHM, J. W., & COHEN, A. R. 1962 Explorations in cognitive dissonance. New York: Wiley.
BREHM, M. L., BACK, K. W., & BOGDONOFF, M. D. 1964 A physiological effect of cognitive dissonance under stress and deprivation. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 303-310.
CARLSMITH, J. M., ELLSWORTH, P. C., & ARONSON, E. 1976 Methods of research in social psychology. California: Addison-Wesley.
COOPER, J. 1971 Personal responsibility and dissonance: The role of foreseen consequences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 18, 354-363.
DETWEILER, R. A., & ZANNA, M. P. 1976 Physiological mediation of attitudinal responses. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 107-116.
EAGLY, A. H., & HIMMELFARB, S. 1978 Attitudes and opinions. Annual Review of Psychology, 29, 517-554.
FESTINGER, L. 1957 A theory of cognitive dissonance. Evanston, Illinois: Row, Peterson.
GLASS, D. C., & MAYHEW, P. 1969 The effects of cognitive processes on skin conductance reactivity to an aversive film. Psychonomic Science, 16, 72-74.
GREENWALD, A. G., & RoNIS, D. L. 1978 Twenty years of cognitive dissonance: Case study of the evolution of a theory. Psychological Review, 85, 53-57.
LANA, R. E. 1969 Pretest sensitization. In R. Rosenthal & R. L. Rosnow (Eds.), Artifact in behavioral research. New York: Academic Press, Pp.121-140.
LOTT, A. J., & LoTT, B. E. 1974 The role of reward in the formation of positive interpersonalattitudes. In T. L. Huston (Ed.), Foundations of interpersonal attraction. New York: Academic Press, Pp.171-189.
NEL, E., HELMREICH, R., & ARONSON, E. 1969 Opinion change in the advocate as a function of the persuasibility of his audience: A clarification of the meaning of dissonance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 12, 117-124.
ROSENBERG, M. J. 1965 When dissonance fails: On eliminating evaluation apprehension from attitude measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1, 28-42.
SOGIN, S. R., & PALLAK, M. S. 1976 Bad decisions, responsibility, and attitude change: Effects of volition, foreseeability, and locus of causality of negative consequence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 300-306.
SOLOMON, R. L. 1949 An extension of control group design. Psychological Bulletin, 46, 137-150.
WICKLUND, R. A., & BREHM, J. W. 1976 Perspectives on cognitive dissonance. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
WORTMAN, C. B. 1975 Some determinants of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31, 282-294.
ZIMBARDO, P. G., COHEN, A., WEISENBERG, M., DWORKIN, L., & FIRESTONE, I. 1969 The control of experimental pain. In P. G. Zimbardo (Ed.), The cognitive control of motivation. Atlanta: Scott, Foresman and Company, Pp.100-125.

Right : ARONSON, E. 1968 Dissonance theory: Progress and problems. In R. P. Abelson, E. Aronson, W. J. McGuire, T. M. Newcomb, M. J. Rosenberg, & P. H. Tannenbaum (Eds.), Theories of cognitive consistency: A sourcebook. Chicago: Rand-McNally, Pp.5-27.
BREHM, J. W., & COHEN, A. R. 1962 Explorations in cognitive dissonance. New York: Wiley.
BREHM, M. L., BACK, K. W., & BOGDONOFF, M. D. 1964 A physiological effect of cognitive dissonance under stress and deprivation. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 303-310.
CARLSMITH, J. M., ELLSWORTH, P. C., & ARONSON, E. 1976 Methods of research in social psychology. California: Addison-Wesley.
COOPER, J. 1971 Personal responsibility and dissonance: The role of foreseen consequences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 18, 354-363.
DETWEILER, R. A., & ZANNA, M. P. 1976 Physiological mediation of attitudinal responses. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 107-116.
EAGLY, A. H., & HIMMELFARB, S. 1978 Attitudes and opinions. Annual Review of Psychology, 29, 517-554.
FESTINGER, L. 1957 A theory of cognitive dissonance. Evanston, Illinois: Row, Peterson.
GLASS, D. C., & MAYHEW, P. 1969 The effects of cognitive processes on skin conductance reactivity to an aversive film. Psychonomic Science, 16, 72-74.
GREENWALD, A. G., & RONIS, D. L. 1978 Twenty years of cognitive dissonance: Case study of the evolution of a theory. Psychological Review, 85, 53-57.
LANA, R. E. 1969 Pretest sensitization. In R. Rosenthal & R. L. Rosnow (Eds.), Artifact in behavioral research. New York: Academic Press, Pp.121-140.
LOTT, A. J., & LOTT, B. E. 1974 The role of reward in the formation of positive interpersonal attitudes. In T. L. Huston (Ed.), Foundations of interpersonal attraction. New York: Academic Press, Pp.171-189.
NEL, E., HELMREICH, R., & ARONSON, E. 1969 Opinion change in the advocate as a function of the persuasibility of his audience: A clarification of the meaning of dissonance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 12, 117-124.
ROSENBERG, M. J. 1965 When dissonance fails: On eliminating evaluation apprehension from attitude measurement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1, 28-42.
SOGIN, S. R., & PALLAK, M. S. 1976 Bad decisions, responsibility, and attitude change: Effects of volition, foreseeability, and locus of causality of negative consequence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 33, 300-306.
SOLOMON, R. L. 1949 An extension of control group design. Psychological Bulletin, 46, 137-150.
WICKLUND, R. A., & BREHM, J. W. 1976 Perspectives on cognitive dissonance. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
WORTMAN, C. B. 1975 Some determinants of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31, 282-294.
ZIMBARDO, P. G., COHEN, A., WEISENBERG, M., DWORKIN, L., & FIRESTONE, I. 1969 The control of experimental pain. In P. G. Zimbardo (Ed.), The cognitive control of motivation. Atlanta: Scott, Foresman and Company, Pp.100-125.

Abstract

The relationship between personal responsibility and dissonance reduction was investigated in a situation where an individual had to undergo a negative consequence caused by an agent beyond his control, i.e., by chance. Eighty participants received either strong or weak electric shock, depending on the oddness or evenness of spots of a die thrown either by the experimenter (Experimenter-Caused condition) or by the participant himself (Participant-Caused condition). It was found that participants in the Participant-Caused condition evaluated electric shocks less painful, estimated their heart rates to be less faster, and perceived the experimenter more intelligent and favorable than participants in the Experimenter-Caused condition. These results were interpreted as lending support to the newly reformulated dissonance theory.

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