Social information-processing models are thought to reflect the more proximal mental operations that are associated with behavioural responding. Although many theoretical accounts of perceptual and attributional processes in social behaviour and adjustment hypothesize the existence of enduring latent structures, there is considerable variation in how these structures are described or conceptualized. A considerable amount of research has been devoted to the study of attributional processes. Such processes may be described broadly in terms of attributions of causality and attributions of intent. The causal and temporal nature of the relation between processing and behavioural outcome is in need of further study. In summary, emerging evidence suggests that social information-processing patterns, including perceptual and attributional processes, may provide clues as to why cumulative experiences with parents and peers may have enduring effects on children's behavioural and psychological adjustment.