Attribution Matters: How Causal Explanations Influence Perceptions of Dangerousness and Racial Classification

Abstract

Understanding the factors influencing perceptions of dangerousness and their relationship with racial classification is crucial within the criminal legal system. These subjective perceptions affect discretionary parole, bail, and plea-bargaining decisions, shaping the lives of individuals and the safety of society. Existing psychological research highlights the Fundamental Attribution Error’s role in shaping perceptions of morality, primarily by attributing others’ actions to their intrinsic personality traits or character. However, its influence on perceptions of dangerousness remains less explored. Through two online experiments (N = 1005 and N = 276), this study investigates how attributing crime to internal or external factors shapes perceptions of dangerousness and racial classification. The results reveal that external attribution increases perceptions of dangerousness and predisposes individuals to classify a wrongdoer as a person of color. These findings have immediate and significant implications for the criminal legal system, suggesting urgent areas for policy reform.