Across three studies, parts of a mediational model to explain the relationship between belief in free will and attitudes toward certain outgroups were tested. Study 1 tested and found support for the correlational hypothesis that belief in free will would be negatively related to attitudes toward people who identify as homosexual. Study 2 tested and found support for the correlational hypothesis that perception of outgroup membership as a choice would negatively predict attitudes toward those outgroups. Study 3 tested but did not find support for a mediational model. Specifically, it was predicted that the relationship between belief in free will and attitudes toward outgroups would be mediated by the perception that group membership was a choice. This model was predicted for outgroups in which it there was some cultural discourse as to whether membership was chosen. Specifically, this mediational model was predicted for homosexuality, obesity, and poverty, but not for Asians or a fictitious group, the Zeb. The manipulation in Study 3 failed to pass a manipulation check limiting the interpretation of the results. Studies 1 and 2, however provide preliminary support for a relationship between the variables of interest (free will belief, perception of group membership as a choice, and attitudes toward outgroups), but no causal claims can be made. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2013. / June 20, 2013. / attitudes, choice, free will belief / Includes bibliographical references. / Roy F. Baumeister, Professor Directing Dissertation; Al Mele, University Representative; Dianne M. Tice, Committee Member; Jesse Cougle, Committee Member; Mary Gerend, Committee Member; Walter Boot, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_253316 |
| Contributors | Brewer, Lauren E. (authoraut), Baumeister, Roy F. (professor directing dissertation), Mele, Al (university representative), Tice, Dianne M. (committee member), Cougle, Jesse (committee member), Gerend, Mary (committee member), Boot, Walter (committee member), Department of Psychology (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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