Does Adopted Mean Different? An Attributional Analysis

Are there differences between adopted and nonadopted persons in their attributional judgments? Are there differences in the parenting of adopted and nonadopted persons? If so, are the differences in attributional judgments related to different parenting techniques? We examined these questions by giving 121 nonadopted and 46 adopted persons a series of attributional stories, a Locus of Control Scale, and a Perceived Parenting Questionnaire. Results indicate, first, that attributions are different and that contrary to expectations, adopted persons are significantly more confident and view others more positively than do nonadopted persons. Second, they have a more internal locus of control than their nonadopted peers. Third, adoptive parents are experienced as significantly more nurturant, comforting, predictable, protectively concerned and helpful than are nonadoptive parents. Finally, an important correlate of attributional judgments appears to be the parenting that one experiences.