DISCOUNTING ATTRIBUTIONS AND MULTIPLE DETERMINANTS

The discounting principle in attribution theory was considered a well- established phenomenon until recently, when both the empirical and the oretical basis for discounting have been questioned. Many instances of strong discounting have used measures that constrain explanations, su ch as a forced-choice and bipolar measures. Two studies were performed simulating Thibaut and Rieckens study of attributions for target pers ons' compliance to a request, which used a forced-choice measure. In t he present studies, a range of measures were used. Responses of two sa mples of Oxford students and one sample of Oxford teachers indicate th at multiple causation was perceived and subjects did not greatly disco unt either of two relevant causes, but there was nonetheless a compens atory relation between the causes. The results also indicate that the attributions were affected by the social categories of the target pers on and the subjects.