The Differentiation of Social Behavior: Toward an Explanation of Universal Interpersonal Structures

Investigations of the structure of social behavior across cultures have relied either on an empirical approach (Triandis, 1977), or on the conceptualization of interaction as resource exchange (Foa & Foa, 1974). This article critically reviews recent efforts to integrate the two approaches and proposes an alternative framework that considers interpersonal dimensions as emerging from the fundamental structure of resource exchange. Two different methodologies for the testing of this framework are described, along with preliminary supportive findings. The implications of this approach for the evolution of social behavior are discussed briefly.