Social Facts and Social Attributions: The Explanation of Intergroup Differences in Hong Kong

Many critics of contemporary work in attribution have called for a more “social” approach. In response to this concern, the present study addressed the neglected question of how realistic differences between groups are explained. A total of 56 members of two Hong Kong universities were asked to explain eight accepted facts distinguishing the two groups to an experimenter and a future audience from one or the other group. Four of the eight facts favored each of the universities. Results showed students of both universities making group-serving attributions, this bias being more marked on the explanations made by the lower-status group. The favorability of the facts to one's own group and the group identity of the experimenter/audience had no impact on the attributions made. These results are discussed in terms of Tajfel's (1978) social identity theory, providing support for its applicability in a collectivist culture emphasizing harmony. Peonies, though pretty, need green leaves as a backdrop.—From The Dream of the Red Chamber by Cho Suet Kan (A.D. 1717–1763)