Need and expectancy as determinants of affiliative behavior in small groups

In line with Atkinson's motivational theory, it was hypothesized that fantasy n Affiliation would be positively related to affiliative behavior for Ss who were high as opposed to low on expectancy of affiliative success. In support of this hypothesis, it was found that: (1) n Affiliation was positively related to positive (friendly) behavior in a small-group interaction for Ss who were high, but not for Ss who were low on situational affiliative expectancy; and (2) n Affiliation was inversely related to sociometric ratings of generalized negative (hostile) behavior for Ss who were high, but not for Ss who were low on generalized affiliative expectancy. When the n Affiliation score was divided into approach (+ Affiliation) and avoidance (- Affiliation) subscores, it was found that the former contributed almost exclusively to the predictive validity of the total n Affiliation score. (30 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).