The Causal Uncertainty Model Revisited

Weary, Gifford; Tobin, Stephanie J.; Edwards, John A.

doi:10.4324/9780203848753.ch5

Cited by 19 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…While everyone can experience these doubts, often following negative, extreme, and unpredictable events such as school shootings or terrorist attacks (see Weary, Tobin, & Edwards, 2010), some people experience more chronically accessible CU that can be activated even by relatively mundane events (Edwards, Wichman, & Weary, 2009). In turn, these doubts elicit associated feelings of confusion, doubt, and anxiety (Weary et al, 2010).…”

Section: Causal Uncertaintymentioning

confidence: 97%

Doubt Begets Doubt: Causal Uncertainty as a Predictor of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships

Boucher

2014

Communication Reports

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The current study explored whether causal uncertainty (CU), or doubts about one's ability to understand causes of social events, predicts relational uncertainty (RU) and, in turn, negative relational outcomes in romantic relationships. Seventy-nine couples completed measures of RU, perceived relationship quality, CU, depression, and attachment style. As predicted, higher levels of CU were associated with more partner and relationship uncertainty, and lower relationship quality, even when controlling for depression and attachment. Mediational analyses further demonstrated that causally uncertain participants' negative perceptions of relationship quality stemmed primarily from doubts about their partner's involvement in the relationship.Knobloch and Solomon (1999, 2002a) proposed that people can experience doubts about the level of involvement in their romantic relationship. Such relational uncertainty (RU) can stem from three separate, but related, sources: (1) the self, which generates doubts about your own involvement in the relationship; (2) the partner, which generates doubts about your partner's level of involvement; and (3) the relationship, which generates doubts about the nature of the relationship itself. Although RU is not inherently detrimental in romantic relationships (see Knobloch, 2007), research suggests that RU tends to have negative, rather than positive

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Section: Causal Uncertaintymentioning

confidence: 97%

Doubt Begets Doubt: Causal Uncertainty as a Predictor of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships

Boucher

2014

Communication Reports

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“…Individuals high in CU possess chronically accessible uncertainty beliefs (e.g. Edwards, Wichman, & Weary, 2009; see Weary et al (2010), for a review). It is important to note that CU is a particular type of self-doubt (about causes) that in this case was assessed as an individual difference.…”

Section: Predictor Variablesmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…For instance, those high in self-doubt or uncertainty about the causes of events exhibit greater symptoms of depression (see Weary, Tobin, and Edwards (2010), for a review). Social anxiety also is associated with self-doubt (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Doubting one’s doubt: A formula for confidence?

Wichman

Briñol

Petty

et al. 2010

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

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“…Consistent with this idea, a number of studies have found that individuals with high levels of chronic causal uncertainty engage in more thorough information processing strategies (Tobin & Weary, 2008;Weary & Jacobson, 1997;Weary, Jacobson, Edwards, & Tobin, 2001;Weary, Vaughn, Stewart, & Edwards, 2006). However, according to the causal uncertainty model, unsuccessful attempts to improve understanding can generate negative affect, and when the likelihood of success is too low, individuals will opt to disengage from the goal of improving their understanding (Weary et al, 2010). Particularly in the case of chronic causal uncertainty, individuals may have a history of failed attempts to improve their understanding which creates a desire to disengage.…”

Section: Causal Uncertaintymentioning

confidence: 72%

“…Tobin and Raymundo (2010) found that secondary control is particularly beneficial for individuals who are high in chronic causal uncertainty. Chronic causal uncertainty refers to ongoing doubts about one's ability to understand why positive and negative events happen to the self and others (Weary & Edwards, 1996;Weary, Tobin, & Edwards, 2010). Chronic causal uncertainty is associated concurrently with depression and anxiety and longitudinally with a lack of perceived primary control (Edwards & Weary, 1998;Jacobson, Weary, & Edwards, 1999;Weary & Edwards, 1994).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Positive affect increases secondary control among causally uncertain individuals

Tobin

George

2014

Cognition and Emotion

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Secondary control (acceptance of and adjustment to negative events) is thought to promote positive affect. We examined the opposite path: could positive affect increase secondary control, particularly among individuals high in causal uncertainty, who stand to benefit from it the most? In two studies, participants completed a causal uncertainty scale, thought about a problem while listening to affect-inducing music or no music, and then completed items that assessed secondary control. In Study 1, the music induced positive or negative affect. In Study 2, the music induced affect that was high or low in activation and positive or negative in valence. In both studies, we found that positive affect-inducing music increased secondary control among high causal uncertainty participants. Furthermore, trait affect did not account for the effects of causal uncertainty, and music did not influence primary control. These findings show that secondary control can fluctuate as a function of state affect.

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The Causal Uncertainty Model Revisited

Cited by 19 publications

References 47 publications

Doubt Begets Doubt: Causal Uncertainty as a Predictor of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships

Doubt Begets Doubt: Causal Uncertainty as a Predictor of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships

Doubting one’s doubt: A formula for confidence?

Positive affect increases secondary control among causally uncertain individuals

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