Victims, vignettes, and videos: Meta-analytic and experimental evidence that emotional impact enhances the derogation of innocent victims
Dawtry and colleagues examine the victim derogation effect, in which observers moved by an innocent victim's suffering think less of the victim's character. Research from the nineteen sixties found it, but recent evidence is inconsistent. A first meta-analysis of the experimental literature tests whether the effect varies with how emotionally impactful the context is for observers. Studies with more impactful contexts, such as real and vivid ones, reported larger derogation effects, though impact was confounded with year of appearance. Further experiments aim to separate the role of emotional impact.
Dawtry and colleagues examine the victim derogation effect, in which observers moved by an innocent victim's suffering think less of the victim's character. Research from the nineteen sixties found it, but recent evidence is inconsistent. A first meta-analysis of the experimental literature tests whether the effect varies with how emotionally impactful the context is for observers. Studies with more impactful contexts, such as real and vivid ones, reported larger derogation effects, though impact was confounded with year of appearance. Further experiments aim to separate the role of emotional impact.
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Dawtry, R. J., Callan, M. J., Harvey, A. J., & Gheorghiu, A. I. (2020). Victims, vignettes, and videos: Meta-analytic and experimental evidence that emotional impact enhances the derogation of innocent victims. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 24(3), 233-259. doi:10.1177/1088868320914208 https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868320914208