This study tested an integrative, multipathway model designed to explain bidirectional effects of the attributions and coercive behaviors of mothers and sons in the context of a longitudinal study. Subjects were 246 mothers and sons who were 7–9 years of age. Mothersʼ and sonsʼ attributions about one anotherʼs intent were significantly related to the aggressiveness of the behavior that each of them directed toward the other. Boysʼ earlier aggression did not significantly predict the mothersʼ subsequent attributions, whereas mothersʼ negative behavior indeed predicted subsequent negative attributions on the part of the boys. Even after considering childrenʼs earlier negative behavior, childrenʼs negative attributions about their mothers helped explain the aggressiveness of their subsequent behavior. The same was not true for mothers whose earlier attributions indirectly influenced their subsequent aggressive behavior.