The influence of perceptions of intentionality and controllability on perceived responsibility: Applying attribution theory to people’s responses to social transgression in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weiner's (1985) attribution theory explains how people interpret and react to causes of events Perceived responsibility plays a central role in this model Weiner (2006) considers perceived intentionality and controllability as crucial antecedents of perceived responsibility Although perceived controllability has been assessed cross-culturally and cross-situationally, perceived intentionality has not received similar levels of attention among those assessing Weiner's model The goal of the current research effort is to use Weiner's framework, with a focus on perceived controllability and intentionality, to explain responses to problematic behaviors associated with COVID-19 Recently, people who intentionally or carelessly transmitted the coronavirus have enraged the public The current study reports on an experiment (N = 271) that successfully manipulated perceived intentionality and controllability using a Chinese sample in the context of spreading COVID-19 on an airplane Perceived intentionality and controllability were empirically demonstrated as distinct attribution variables Stronger perceptions of intentionality and controllability increased perceived responsibility, anger, and the desire to punish Higher perceived controllability also decreased sympathy toward those who transmitted coronavirus Furthermore, analyses revealed an interaction between perceived intentionality and controllability Perceived controllability increased anger only when perceived intentionality was low;however, when intentionality was high, participants were angered regardless of perceived controllability A path analysis supported the qualitative universality of Weiner's attribution theory The current research illustrates the potential benefit of investigating perceived intentionality in attribution research The utility and applicability of Weiner's attribution theory in the COVID-19 pandemic in a collectivistic culture were supported (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)