Attributions as Moderator Variables Within Social Interactional Systems

A model of social interactional systems is proposed in which causal attributions are described as acting in a moderator role. As a specific illustration, the model is applied to malfunctioning family systems. Adult beliefs about the causes of successful and unsuccessful caregiving outcomes are predicted either to sensitize to or buffer against the potential challenge or stress produced by “difficult” children. Subsequent affective and behavioral reactions by the caregiver will then “act back” to influence the affective and behavioral responses of the child—maintaining a continuous-loop transactional system. Evidence is cited from past and ongoing research that supports this prediction. Low perceived control over caregiving outcomes (in particular if accompanied by high “child blame” for negative outcomes) has been found to sensitize caregivers to the negative features of child behavior. Causal beliefs were found to moderate the expressive reactions of both mothers and strangers to children whose behavior could be characterized as relatively “difficult” or “easy.”