Capturing the complexity of interpersonal dynamics—emerging from approach and avoidance motives of two individuals in dyadic interplay—remains challenging. In line with calls for embracing complexity in psychological research using formal modeling, we employed evolutionary game theory to investigate the underlying mechanisms of affiliative interpersonality. We constructed a relational state space that represents the ways of relating available in the momentary state of an interpersonal relationship. Next, we modeled relationships as trajectories in that relational space. Qualitatively different interpersonal dynamics emerged: (a) global stability with only one relational attractor (e.g., pure reciprocal friendliness), (b) bistability with two mutually exclusive attractors (e.g., either pure friendliness or pure distance), and (c) cycles between friendliness and distance in the relational space. The bistable dynamics appear to resemble the phenomenon of interpersonal complementarity (e.g., friendliness invites friendliness). Furthermore, the model generates psychopathologically relevant dynamics (e.g., oscillating, unstable interpersonal relationships in borderline personality disorder).

中文翻译：

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亲和人际关系的正式模型

捕捉人际动态的复杂性——源于二元相互作用中两个人的接近和回避动机——仍然具有挑战性。为了响应使用形式模型拥抱心理学研究复杂性的呼声，我们采用进化博弈论来研究亲和人际关系的潜在机制。我们构建了一个关系状态空间，它代表了人际关系瞬时状态下可用的联系方式。接下来，我们将关系建模为该关系空间中的轨迹。出现了性质不同的人际动态：（a）仅具有一种关系吸引子（例如，纯粹相互友好）的全局稳定性，（b）具有两个互斥吸引子（例如，纯粹友好或纯粹距离）的双稳定性，以及（c）之间的循环关系空间中的友好度和距离。双稳态动力学似乎类似于人际互补性现象（例如，友善邀请友善）。此外，该模型还生成与心理病理学相关的动态（例如，边缘型人格障碍中摇摆不定、不稳定的人际关系）。