Previous work on the role of explanations in blame mitigation used an outdated distinction between “person” and “situation” causes and examined which causes better excuse a negative behavior. This approach fails with intentional behaviors, which are explained by reasons, not causes. A recent model of blame (Malle, Guglielmo, & Monroe 2012) suggests that reason explanations function as justifica...

This article discusses key relations between psychological distress and bank tellers' working conditions in various bank offices in Rio de Janeiro. Different theoretical models are discussed: stress, the psychodynamics of the work, and the psychopathology of the work. The aim of this case study was to elucidate the role of the work process as a source of psychological distress among tellers in ...

Contemporary victimology recognizes that an understanding of the mechanism of blaming requires a comprehensive approach that includes the victim, the offender, and the bystander. However, most of the existing research on blaming focuses on the victim and the offender, ignoring the issue of bystander-blaming. This study highlights the bystander and investigates bystander-blaming by exploring som...

BACKGROUND Cancer communication has begun to focus on prevention through lifestyle change. One possible consequence of this is that attitudes towards people with certain types of cancer could become increasingly negative. In this study, we assessed attributions of blame for five common cancers. METHODS Data were collected as part of a population-based survey of women's attitudes to cancer. A ...