The Distribution of Obligations

SES-0136339Steven L. NockPaul W.金斯顿研究人员在系统地说明义务--人们对他人的义务或责任--是如何建立的方面进展甚微。 这个项目研究美国人如何理解他们对他人的义务。 也就是说，谁被认为在道德上对谁负责，在什么情况下，在什么程度上？ 还有，为什么有些问题被视为私人问题，而其他问题则被视为公共问题？本研究以定量调查研究和质性访谈为基础。 具体来说，一个成年人的样本将被要求回答假设的问题，暗示需要从一些来源的帮助。 在这些假设的困境中，情况的基本特征会有系统地变化，包括有需要的人和帮助者之间的关系，问题的类型，有需要的人的罪责，以及给予和接受他人帮助的详细历史。 最后，一系列定性访谈将侧重于提供援助的动机，并特别区分私人义务和公共义务。PI将使用整合社会资本和生命过程视角的理论模型来指导研究。 这个模型试图解释人们如何以及为什么在某些情况下承担对他人的责任，而在另一些情况下则不然。 它将表明义务如何受到要求援助的情况的具体性质、个人与需要援助的人之间的关系（亲属关系或其他关系）以及潜在援助者的许多特征的影响。 鉴于需要照顾的受扶养人口的增长，该项目具有实际意义。 它可能会促进对影响责任和应得信念的因素的科学理解。

SES-0136339Steven L. NockPaul W. KingstonResearchers have made little progress in systematically specifying how obligations-- duties or responsibilities that people have to others--are established. This project examines how Americans understand their obligations to others. That is, who is considered morally responsible for whom, under what circumstances, and to what extent? Also, why are some concerns treated as private troubles, whole others are viewed as public issues? The research is based on quantitative survey research and qualitative interviewers. Specifically, a sample of adults will be asked to respond to hypothetical problems that imply a need for help from some source. In these hypothetical dilemmas, basic features of the situation will be systematically varied, including the relationship between the person in need and the helper, the type of problem, the culpability of the person in need, and the detailed history of giving and receiving assistance from others. Finally, a series of qualitative interviews will focus on motives for offering assistance and making particular distinctions between private and public obligations. The PIs will use a theoretical model that integrates social capital and life-course perspectives to guide the research. This model proposes to explain how and why people assume responsibility for others in some cases, but not in others. It will show how obligations are influenced by the specific nature of the situation calling for assistance, the relationship (kinship or otherwise) between an individual and the person in need, and numerous characteristics of the potential helper. The project has practical significance in light of the growth of dependent populations who require care. It could potentially advance scientific understanding of the factors that influence beliefs about responsibility and deservingness.