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The Defensive Attribution Hypothesis is a cognitive bias where individuals attribute blame to others in a way that preserves their own sense of safety and self-esteem.
People are motivated to defend themselves against feelings of vulnerability or fear of being a victim. When observing an event where someone is harmed, particularly if it is accidental, people may assign blame based on their perceived similarity to the victim or the perpetrator. The more similar an individual feels to the victim, the more external factors are blamed, believing the accident could happen to anyone, thus maintaining a sense of personal control and safety.
This bias can lead to unfair blame assignments and a lack of empathy or support for victims. In legal situations, it might result in biased judgments where defendants and victims are treated unfairly. Socially, it can perpetuate victim-blaming cultures, reducing the support systems necessary for recovery and change.
Awareness and education about this cognitive bias can reduce its effects. Encouraging empathy through storytelling and shared experiences can help people understand situations from different perspectives. Training professionals in legal and social fields to recognize and address their biases can improve decision-making processes.
Critics argue that focusing too much on this hypothesis might downplay essential factors that contribute to accidents or criminal acts. Overemphasis may lead to ignoring objective circumstances and prevent thorough analyses of events.
Defensive attribution: Effects of severity and relevance on the responsibility assigned for an accident
Shaver, K. G. (1970)
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 14(2), 101-113
Attribution of blame in cases of rape: An analysis of participant gender, type of rape, and perceived similarity to the victim
Grubb, A., & Harrower, J. (2008)
Aggression and Violent Behavior, 13(5), 396-405