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approach and avoidance orientations  

Definition

  • To what extent do people try and enhance their close relationships or share many fun and meaningful experiences with their friends? To what extent do people try and stay away from situations that could harm their relationships or make sure nothing bad happens to their friendships? People have motivations or goals within their social relationships that are derived from two separate systems: Motives focused on movement toward desired, positive relationship outcomes represent the approach system; motives focused on movement away from undesirable, negative relationship outcomes represent the avoidance system. This entry describes approach and avoidance orientations and reviews current work applying it to motivation in social relationships. [Source: Encyclopedia of Human Relationships; Approach and Avoidance Orientations]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/approach_and_avoidance_orientations

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