C020

Social Approach Tendency

B03 Social Cognition & Self-Direction
Core LayerMML-1

Version v1.3.2

Definition

A stable inclination to initiate and seek interpersonal contact, such as conversation, meetings, messaging, shared activity, under neutral or mildly uncertain conditions.

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

Social Avoidance Tendency: rarely initiates contact; defaults to distance and solitude, with social interaction mostly driven by necessity.

High Pole

Frequently initiates contact; defaults toward people, with interaction experienced as energizing and solitude felt sooner as “lack.”

Reference

Comfortable with both; initiation depends on context and available resources.

Measure

Frequency/probability of self-initiated social contact across standardized neutral situations.

Measuring Methods

• Short diary/log of self-initiated contacts (week–month).
• Repeated behavioral choice in equivalent scenarios (“go alone” vs. “invite someone”).
• Group observation: who consistently makes the first move.

Empirical Anchor

Extraversion / approach temperament (Eysenck, 1967; Gray, 1970); BAS sensitivity (Carver & White, 1994).

Notes

• Not identical to social boldness (C070): this is a pull toward contact, not fearlessness in evaluation.
• Risks at MIN: narrowed support network, missed cooperative opportunities.
• Risks at MAX: dependence on external stimulation, reduced tolerance for solitary work.

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Social Approach Tendency (HES Passport C020, v1.3.2). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/C020

BibTeX

@misc{hes_C020, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Social Approach Tendency}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport C020, v1.3.2}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/C020}} }