(a) Consider the construct of “safe versus dangerous.” (b) He consistently predicts that other people will be “intimidating” (as opposed to “nurturing”), and does not risk using the opposite pole even...

(a) Consider the construct of “safe versus dangerous.” (b) He consistently predicts that other people will be “intimidating” (as opposed to “nurturing”), and does not risk using the opposite pole even though he wants love and affection. (c) He meets someone at a party and decides to test the possibility that this person is “friendly” (as opposed to “unfriendly”). But his social skills suffer from a lack of practice, his opening remarks are awkward, his hands perspire, and he is more concerned with his own anxiety than learning about his new acquaintance. The other person is somewhat disconcerted by all this and responds cautiously, whereupon the patient concludes that this person is “unfriendly.” (d) Note that his predictions are often incorrect: He is fearful but no real danger appears, he expects someone else to be friendly but they act distant and unfriendly, and so on. (e) See section 7 of the case material in the Appendix.