Be CAREful: Primary Emotional Traits Predict Preferences to Social Stimuli

Abstract

Approach–avoidance is an important motivational distinction. In approach motivation, be-havior is directed by a positive/desirable event to orient the organism; in avoidance motivation, behav-ior is directed by a negative/undesirable event to pro-tect the organism (Lang et al., 1990; Davidson, 1993; Gray, 1982; Elliot & Covington, 2001). Based on Panksepp’s work, six primary emotions are identified as basis of human personality: SEEKING, CARE, PLAY (positive emotions) and FEAR, ANGER, SADNESS (negative emotions) (Montag & Panksepp, 2017), and as tools for survival (Nettle, 2009).