Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of An Attribution-Based Parenting Program On Perceptions Of Parenting Behavior, H. Wallace Goddard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Attribution theory has become increasingly prominent in social psychology in the last few decades. Insights from attribution theory were used to guide the development of a parenting program. The program was delivered to a group of mothers and fathers of middle-school children in a 5-week parenting program. Parents who volunteered for the program were randomly assigned to treatment and control (delayed treatment) conditions. The program emphasized the dangers of biases in perception and encouraged empathic communication. Parents were encouraged to discuss their own parenting dilemmas in the class. Handouts and reminders were used to help parents understand and remember the …