Reward Dependence - Attachment, Social Attachment
Reward Dependence reflects a heritable bias in the maintenance of behavior in response to cues of social reward. It is observed as sentimentality, social sensitivity, attachment, and dependence on approval by others. Individuals high in Reward Dependence are tender-hearted, sensitive, socially dependent, and sociable. One of the major adaptive advantages of high Reward Dependence is the sensitivity to social cues which facilitates affectionate social relations and genuine care for others. The disadvantage is related to suggestibility and loss of objectivity frequently encountered with people who are excessively socially dependent.

Individuals low in Reward Dependence are practical, tough-minded, cold, socially insensitive, irresolute, and indifferent if alone. The advantages of low Reward Dependence are personal independence and objectivity not biased by efforts to please others. Its adaptive disadvantage is related to social withdrawal, detachment, and coldness in social attitudes.