Attribution in Conflict

Abstract Attributions are inferences about the underlying causes or motivations for human behavior. In conflict situations, attribution processes are involved when people assign blame, evaluate intentions behind offending behavior, or assess the likelihood that conflict can be managed cooperatively. There are many documented attribution biases that can exacerbate conflicts. Attribution biases affect the way people assign blame and responsibility for conflict, which has direct repercussions for communication. When people attribute conflict to the negative traits or intentional acts of others, they often communicate in a negative, verbally competitive, or ambiguous/avoidant manner. Biases also affect attributions for communicative intent and message reception. These biases can be mitigated by engaging in conflict reframing, increasing awareness and knowledge of attribution biases, and exerting control over attributions.