Distinguishing the effects of beliefs and preconditions: the folk psychology of goals and actions

Boonzaier, Ann, McClure, John L., Sutton, Robbie M. (2005) Distinguishing the effects of beliefs and preconditions: the folk psychology of goals and actions. European Journal of Social Psychology, 35 (6). 725 - 740. ISSN 0046-2772. (doi:10.1002/ejsp.280) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided)

Abstract

Two studies examined lay people's understanding of goals and intentional actions, which are key concepts in folk psychology. The studies show how predictions of goals and actions are affected by actors' beliefs about their abilities and their actual possession of the preconditions required for the actions. In some conditions, the beliefs and the preconditions were contradictory Actors' beliefs about their abilities shaped observers' goal ascriptions, whereas actual preconditions dominated predictions about action accomplishment. Participants judged the relationship between goals and actions to be stronger when preconditions were present. Participants judged that neither beliefs nor preconditions were necessary for the actor to have action fantasies. These studies clarify how folk psychological concepts of desires, beliefs, and preconditions relate to each other and how they relate to attributions of goals and actions.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1002/ejsp.280
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Rosalind Beeching
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2008 18:23 UTC
Last Modified:	28 May 2019 13:39 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/4140 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)