World assumptions, coping and attributions

The aim of this study was to examine cognitive processes in the context of measures of world assumptions (Janoff-Bulman, 1985), attributions (Peterson et al., 1982) and coping (Endler & Parker, 1990) within the broad context of appraisal. Using 270 participants, results showed that the coping measure was psychometrically sound, but that the other measures’ factor structures were not fully supported. The measures appeared to be independent, indicating that these cognitive processes can be considered separate processes. World assumptions may be a useful contribution to the conceptualisation of appraisal but the measure needs improvement.