Attribution of poverty among Malaysian students in the United Kingdom.

Murnizam Halik; Mohd Dahlan A. Malek; Ferlis Bullare@Bahari; Norlizah Matshah; Paul Webley

doi:10.51200/sapj.v1i1.5724

Authors

Murnizam Halik School of Psychology and Social Work, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Mohd Dahlan A. Malek School of Psychology and Social Work, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Ferlis Bullare@Bahari School of Psychology and Social Work, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Norlizah Matshah School of Psychology and Social Work, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Paul Webley School of Oriental and Asian Studies, University of London, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51200/sapj.v1i1.5724

Keywords:

Malaysian students Causal Attribution Psychology of poverty

Abstract

This study investigates Malaysian students’ attribution of poverty and attitudes towards the poor in rural Malaysia. A combined total of 124 Malaysian students in the United Kingdom participated in this web-based survey. Factor analysis results reproduce the tripartite (individualistic, structural and fatalistic) structure for attribution of poverty. The results suggest that there is a statistically significant main effect for gender (F3,120=4.48, p=.005) wherein females have a higher attribution for poverty. On attitudes towards the poor, it was found that with upward social mobility, respondents have a more positive attitude towards the poor. It was recommended that further study should focus on how the poor attribute poverty

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