Date of Award
Spring 2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Jeni L. Burnette
Abstract
In response to tough economic times and difficulty meeting the need of homeless populations, many charities could use an improved understanding of what predicts and contributes to charitable intentions. The current studies sought to empirically address this issue. Study 1 results revealed that positive attitudes toward the homeless and charitable intentions predicted actual donation behavior. Study 2 results suggested that morality dimensions focused on fairness and harm predicted positive attitudes and charitable intentions. Additionally, a combination of moral commitment and interdependent self-construal predicted higher donation intentions. Study 3 examined how political affiliations and media coverage regarding the current state of the economy influenced donation intentions. Media coverage interacted with income to predict attitudes and intentions. Furthermore, Democrats reported more generous intentions toward the homeless than Republicans. Theoretical and practical applications are considered.
Recommended Citation
VanEpps, Eric M., "Especially in this economy : the effect of personal and situational factors on charitable intentions and attitudes toward the homeless" (2010). Honors Theses. 165.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/165