Observer perceptions of would-be provider and would-be recipient reactions to rejected social support

Role-playing observes predicted the reactions of hypothetical would-be recipients whose requests for social support were unmet as well as those of hypothetical would-be providers of their rejection of such requests. The extent to which the would-be recipient was depicted at fault for the problem was predicted to affect perceived reactions since support may be less likely when potential recipients are blameworthy than when ar innocent of responsibility for their predicament. Observers perceived would-be recipients of support as believing that would-be providers blamed them. Observers saw would-be providers as blaming the would-be recipients rather than themeselves, especially if the victim was blameworthy. When the victim was not blameworthy, would-be providers were more likely than would-be recipients to be judged to use a mixture of rationalizations and excuses rather than blame.