# File lib/her/model/attributes.rb, line 71
      def assign_attributes(new_attributes)
        if !new_attributes.respond_to?(:to_hash)
          raise ArgumentError, "When assigning attributes, you must pass a hash as an argument."
        end

        # Coerce new_attributes to hash in case of strong parameters
        new_attributes = new_attributes.to_hash

        @_her_attributes ||= attributes

        # Use setter methods first
        unset_attributes = self.class.use_setter_methods(self, new_attributes)

        # Then translate attributes of associations into association instances
        associations = self.class.parse_associations(unset_attributes)

        # Then merge the associations into @_her_attributes.
        @_her_attributes.merge!(associations)
      end