The Role of Female Behavior and Attributions in Predicting Behavioral Responses to Hypothetical Male Aggression

Abstract

Research suggests that situational characteristics influence attributions for violent events. The present study examined the effect of confrontational female behavior on women’s positive and negative attributions for their boyfriends’ abusive behavior and the influence of confrontational behavior and attributions on intentions to remain involved with those partners. College women ( N = 293) read descriptions of scenes that involved dating conflict and provided attribution ratings and stay/leave intentions. Results showed that female behavior predicted positive and negative attributions as well as behavioral intentions. Individual differences were less critical to the prediction of attributions or intentions. Limitations, future directions, and clinical implications are discussed.