U.S. Attributions of Third-world Poverty and Donating Behavior: a Study of the Effects of Education in Social Stratification

Abstract

The present study was designed to examine changes in attributions of poverty as well as changes in intentions to donate as attributions of poverty shifted. Two Sociology courses were involved in this study; Social Stratification and Research Methods (control group). Students in both courses were asked to complete a survey including measures of a belief in a just world, attributions of poverty, intentions to donate, and scenarios of wealth during the first week of class and then again during the last week of class. Data from 83 students was collected at pretest and data from 62 students was collected at posttest. The results indicated that there was not a significant difference in the change that occurred between the two groups on any of the measures. These results are discussed in terms of the effect of education in changing attitudes and behaviors related to donating.