The impact of implicit theories on blame and helping behavior: A dual-pathway model

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Simone Dohle
• Subject Area: Social Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 443904096

Implicit theories are basic beliefs that people have about the malleability of human attributes (Dweck, 2012, 2017). According to this perspective, people may hold two types of theories: an incremental or an entity theory. An incremental theory, also known as a growth mindset, denotes the belief that a given attribute is dynamic and can be changed. In contrast, an entity theory, also known as a fixed mindset, is characterized by the belief that a given attribute cannot be changed despite efforts for change. Across various domains, research has shown that holding an incremental theory confers wide-ranging intrapersonal benefits for achievement, adjustment, and self-regulation. Due to these benefits, interventions aiming at fostering a “growth mindset” are becoming increasingly popular in applied fields, such as education, sports, or human resource development. Beside the intrapersonal benefits of these interventions, it is unclear whether these interventions could also lead to negative judgments and reactions. In fact, recent research has shown than an incremental theory can increase blaming of others for their failures and shortcomings, which suggests that people who hold an incremental theory could be less inclined to help individuals who fail or who face difficult situations (Burnette, Hoyt, Dweck, & Auster-Gussman, 2017, Ryazanov & Christenfeld, 2018). In contrast, other research, especially in the area of coaching, suggests that an incremental theory can increase helping behavior (Heslin, VandeWalle, & Latham, 2006). Reconciling these contradictions, the present proposal suggests a dual-pathway model of the influence of implicit theories on helping behavior. Path 1 of the model implies that an incremental theory indirectly attenuates helping behavior via attributions of blame and reduced sympathy. In contrast, Path 2 suggests that an incremental theory may also indirectly amplify helping behavior via an increase in response efficacy¬—the belief that with proper support and effort, change should be possible. The main goal of the current proposal is to conceptually validate the model across various domains of implicit theories (i.e., health, personality, and poverty) to arrive at a deeper understanding of the role of implicit theories for blame and helping behavior. A second aim is to provide evidence on how the indirect paths of the model can be manipulated and changed. By either blocking Path 1 or enhancing Path 2, the research proposal identifies conditions under which an incremental theory may increase, and not decrease, helping behavior. Given that many applied fields now use interventions that build on implicit theory research, the present proposal may give insights that are influential for both basic and applied research.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants