Toward a Conception of Behavior Based on Concepts of Approach-Withdrawal and Adaptation Level

Abstract

The basic responding nature of organisms is emphasized in an integration of concepts from comparative, physiological, and social psychology. A formulation is offered which states that organisms will make expansive approach responses to stimuli slightly or moderately deviant from the adaptation level and that such responses involve innervation of extensor muscles and are associated with positive affect. Conversely, stimuli strongly deviant from the adaptation level will evoke restrictive withdrawal responses which involve innervation of flexor muscles and are associated with negative affect. An integration of these concepts is used to explain phenomena and data from various areas of psychology.

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