ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the possibility that physically shaking could draw Katy's attention to Todd's punctuality to highlight take on how safety and value goals infuse relationships. It explains how safety and value goal pursuits serve the fundamental need to belong. The chapter argues that people are biologically and psychologically prepared to pursue safety and value goals as a means to belongingness. It also argues these two goal pursuits can essentially co-opt more basic biological and psychological systems for staying safe from physical harm and perceiving value and purpose in action. The chapter examines that safety and value are contingent and flexible goal pursuits because different situations, partners, and relationships call for different goal priorities and behavioral responses. It concludes by revealing the cognitive overlap between the general goals for staying safe from harm and perceiving value in action and motivated cognitive processes in relationships.