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Virginia Tech

Observer reactions to victims: an equity theory approach

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Among the many problems that victims may face in the aftermath of victimization, a commonly noted yet infrequently studied phenomenon is that of victim disregard. Victims are often ignored by the people they would normally look to for assistance. It was proposed that equity theory might provide a useful framework for understanding this phenomenon. Equity theory suggests victims are ignored because helping is sometimes equity based rather than victim-need based. According to equity theory, learning of victimization threatens an observer's sense of equity. Helping (in the present case, compensation) is only one way of reducing inequity; if other methods of inequity reduction are used (in this case, perpetrator punishment), equity may be restored without the victim being assisted. In five studies, victim compensation (the dependent variable) was hypothesized to vary as a function of perpetrator punishment.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Psychology
Department dc:contributor.department
Psychology
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1991

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Bogle, Trina G.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Axsom, Danny K.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Hauenstein, Neil M. A.
  • Geller, E. Scott

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-08182009-040330
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/44273

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Bogle, Trina G.. Observer reactions to victims: an equity theory approach. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44273