Blaine's coworker, Tamika, has accused him of sexual harassment, but Blaine denies it. Though there is little evidence to support either person's claims, their supervisor, Yessi, is inclined to believe Tamika. She knows that Blaine had a DUI just a few years back, and he was once reprimanded for mismanaging company funds. Yessi's judgment is one of ________ attribution.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Distinctiveness, one of three dimensions whereby decision makers attribute cause, refers to whether the person being judged has acted in a similar fashion under different circumstances. Because of Blaine's past record, Tamika's allegations indicate that he has been known to act in a morally questionable, reckless manner both inside and outside the office. This indicates low distinctiveness-in other words, his alleged sexual harassment is not so different from the DUI or the mismanagement of company funds-which in turn is linked with internal attribution. Had Blaine been known as a man of sterling character with no blemishes on his record, it might have been easier to question Tamika's assertions in the absence of corroborating evidence.

Blaine's Coworker, Tamika, Has Accused Him of Sexual Harassment, but Blaine