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Why did it happen to me? Social cognition processes in adjustment and recovery from criminal victimisation and illness

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Abstract

This article reviews the theoretical framework and empirical evidence for the hypothesised relationship between self-blame attributions and psychological adjustment. In doing so, an argument is presented that poses an alternative interpretation to that which is widely accepted regarding the complex relationship between blame attributions, perceived control, self-esteem, and recovery. A number of fundamental issues concerning the assumptions underlying Janoff-Bulman’s model are identified and explored. In particular, attention is given to the importance of distinguishing perceived control from likelihood of recurrence, and perceived control from outcome expectancy. Finally, the possibility that attributions may not play as fundamental a role in adjustment as first thought is considered, and future lines of enquiry are identified.

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  1. University of St Andrews, USA

    Malcolm D. Macleod

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  1. Malcolm D. Macleod
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Macleod, M.D. Why did it happen to me? Social cognition processes in adjustment and recovery from criminal victimisation and illness. Curr Psychol 18, 18–31 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-999-1014-2

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