Attachment Theory Expanded: A Behavioral Systems Approach

In this chapter we move from the original form of attachment theory and research to a more comprehensive behavioral systems theory of personality, motivation, and social behavior that considers both individual differences and the impact of relationship partners and other aspects of social situations. We begin by explaining the behavioral systems construct, including its species-universal and individual-differences aspects, which interact with social situations to shape social behavior. We discuss the behavioral systems studied to date: attachment, exploration, caregiving, sex, and power. We place more emphasis on the attachment system than on the other behavioral systems because it has received more research attention, but we also summarize new research related to the other behavioral systems. We suggest avenues for further theorizing and research that will lead to a more complete behavioral systems theory of personality and social behavior.