Effective Disengagement: Insecure People Are More Likely to Disengage From an Ongoing Task and Take Effective Action When Facing Danger

Abstract

Results validate the central tenets of social defense theory and indicate that actions that are deemed asocial may paradoxically promote the survival of individuals and groups.

The Effect of Attachment Diversity on Team Performance and the Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support

“…The current findings indicate that anxiety diversity contributes positively to actual team performance business ratings under low POS levels. These findings echo the theoretical claim of social defense theory (Ein‐Dor et al, 2010; Ein‐Dor et al, 2018) that teams can benefit from the inclusion of both anxious and non‐anxious individuals. This benefit may derive in part because, whereas anxious individuals tend to focus on recognizing threat and potential barriers, non‐anxious individuals would be more capable of handling these stressors effectively (Ein‐Dor et al, 2018).…”

“…These findings echo the theoretical claim of social defense theory (Ein‐Dor et al, 2010; Ein‐Dor et al, 2018) that teams can benefit from the inclusion of both anxious and non‐anxious individuals. This benefit may derive in part because, whereas anxious individuals tend to focus on recognizing threat and potential barriers, non‐anxious individuals would be more capable of handling these stressors effectively (Ein‐Dor et al, 2018). These results can also be integrated into the categorization‐elaboration model (CEM; van Knippenberg et al, 2004; van Knippenberg & Schippers, 2007).…”

“…They tend to use self-protective mechanisms in a team setting. For example, this type of response, termed rapid-responder behaviors (Ein-Dor et al, 2010), can manifest itself in a laboratory setting, with avoidant individuals reacting quickly and facilitating an escape from a threatening situation (e.g., a smoke-filled room; Ein-Dor et al, 2010;Ein-Dor, Perry-Paldi, Merrin, Efrati, & Hirschberger, 2018). Given their nature of being weak team players and their preference to focus on their own needs in times of threat (Ein-Dor et al, 2015;Ein-Dor & Hirschberger, 2016), these tendencies can be valuable when a quick response is needed in a team setting.…”

“…Whereas our findings support the benefits of incorporating both anxious and non-anxious team members under low POS levels, no advantages of including both avoidant and less avoidant team members were revealed. Indeed, the adaptive benefits of avoidance self-protective mechanisms have typically been measured under stressful and even life-threatening circumstances (Ein-Dor et al, 2018). However, as our focus was on sales departments, we surmise that these potentially beneficial qualities of avoidance would be less in demand.…”

The Use of Online Pornography as Compensation for Loneliness and Lack of Social Ties Among Israeli Adolescents

“…In this case, the results indicate that being just high on attachment avoidance is not enough to affect consumption of pornography without loneliness. These results may stem from the fact that adolescents scoring high on avoidant attachment tend to deny and avoid closeness and interdependence in relationships (Ein-Dor, Perry-Paldi, Merrin, Efrati, & Hirschberger, 2018;Mikulincer, & Shaver, 2003;Mikulincer, & Shaver, 2007b). Only if and when the sense of loneliness breaks through their defenses, does the consumption of pornography and sexual behavior online becomes apparent.…”