Unresolved issues Regarding the Meaning and Measurement of Explanatory Style
Abstract
COMMENTARIES 21 published manuscript, University of London, Institute of Psychiatry, rather different from the style that they habitually endorse. MRC Social and Community Psychiatry Unit. Seen in this way, explanatory style is one avenue to under- Brewin, C. R., Smith, A. J., Power, M. J., & Furnham, A. (1990). State standing individuals' perceptions of themselves, especially and trait d~rerences in the depressive self-schema. Unpublished manu- in relation to others. It would be unwise to assume that the script, University of London, Institute of Rychiatry, MRC Social and Community Rychiatry Unit. internal cognitive representations tapped by our current mea- Furnham, A., Hillard, A., & Brewin, C. R. (1985). Type A behavior pat- sures are primarily concerned with explanation per se or bear tern and attributions of responsibility. Motivation and Emotion, 9, 39- much resemblance to the structure of the ASQ. Gilbert, P. (1989). Human nature and suffering. London & Hove: Law- rence Erlbaum Associates, Ltd. Note Gold, E. R. (1986). Long-term effects of sexual victimisation in child- hood: An amibutional approach. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Chris R. Brewin, MRC Social and Community Psychiatry Psychology. 54, 471-475. Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, De- Hamilton, E. W., & Abramson,