In three experiments we studied lay observers' attributions of responsibility for an antisocial act (homicide). We systematically varied both the degree to which the action was coerced by external circumstances and the degree to which the actor endorsed and accepted ownership of the act, a psychological state that philosophers have termed…

Children observed a communication game in which two dolls sent messages to each other so that the listener doll could pick out a matching card. Allocations of blame for inadequate communication were functions of age of the child, adequacy of message, correctness of choice, and child's proximity to speaker or listener doll. (Author/MV)