Reactions to the Patricia Hearst Case: An Attributional Perspective

Abstract

Two major purposes of this study were (a) to examine attributions of causality in the Patricia Hearst (P.H.) case and their relation to other relevant judgments and (b) to examine personality impressions of P.H. at three phases in the chronology of the case. Subjects were presented with a detailed synopsis of the case. It was anticipated and later verified that there would be considerable individual differences in reactions to this case. Subjects attributed more situational than personal causality to P.H.'s behavior but substantial importance was attached to the latter. Higher ratings on personal causality were associated with higher ratings on guilt, recommended punishment, and other judgments implying a dispositional view of P.H.'s behavior. Higher ratings on situational causality were, conversely, associated with lower guilt ratings, less punishment, etc. Personality impressions were favorable initially, became dramatically negative at the “Tania” phase, and then were somewhat more favorable “at trial” although less than the initial impressions. Subjects were categorized as internal or external on the basis of their relatively extreme location on a combined attribution scale. Internally oriented subjects were less favorable in their impressions than were subjects with an external orientation, particularly at the initial and “at trial” phases of the case.

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