ABSTRACT
Abstract: In this chapter, psychological antecedents and consequences of responsibility for and attitudes towards the disadvantaged are analysed in the framework of two theories, Lerner’s Justice Motive Theory (Lerner, 1980) and Montada’s Theory of Relative Privileges (Montada, Dalbert, Reichle, and Schmitt, 1986; Montada, Schmitt, and Dalbert, 1986). In the first part of the chapter, the core premises of each theory are presented. It is described how both theories explain the psychological origins of reactions to the disadvantaged, especially attributions of responsibility to (advantaged) observers and (disadvantaged) victims, positive and negative attitudes towards the disadvantaged. Some examples of previous studies on responsibility for and attitudes towards the disadvantaged are given. The second part of the chapter outlines recent conceptual and theoretical advances and presents recent empirical research. It is concluded that justice plays a core role in the formation of positive and negative attitudes towards the disadvantaged, of responsibility attributions, and in prosocial and devaluating reactions.
