ABSTRACT
Approach/withdrawal (A/W) theory, devel oped by T. C. Schneirla (1939,1959,1965), is a set of organizing principles that provides an account of behavioral origins in terms of biphasic processes that are based on the charac teristics and effects of stimuli. It may be more accurate to use the term pragmatic hypothesis (Bunge, 1980, p. 22) rather than theory in referring to this useful formulation, though its apparent universal application reflects its “lawlike” nature (Greenberg, McCarthy &c Radell, 1991). The A/W concept is based on the premise that approach and withdrawal are two basic response patterns underlying all complex adaptive responses and is a synthe sis of several organizing principles and con cepts.
