The importance of cognitions and attachment in family therapy has long been recognized but attachment to parental figures apparently does not affect the way that family events are cognitively processed. Given the large body of literature suggesting the importance of attachment and cognition, McCarthy speculated that the lack of significance for attachment may have been due to limitations in methodology (such as restricting samples to females and measuring events not necessarily relevant). The replication and extension of the McCarthy study, and an examination of attachment and gender on cognitive processes, are presented here. Participants, 254 college students, were grouped based on a percentile split of attachment scores. Results indicate that, contrary to the McCarthy study, appraisals of conflict with primary caregivers may be influenced by attachment to that person. The present study found that Roseman's (1990) model of appraisals can be used to explain the relationship between cognitive appraisals and emotional states with family-related events. Moreover, it is suggested that cognitive family therapists may need to take into account the effects of gender and attachment to different family members. Contains 12 references. (RJM)