A Review of Theory and Research on Miller's Response Competition (Conflict) Models

This is a review of published theory and research on Miller's conflict models. The research is largely supporting of the many deductions that are generated from the postulate system, with especially extensive research on approach-withdrawal response competition (AW-RC). There is also impressive agreement in demonstrating an ordered arrangement of difficulty among the RC models [approach-approach response competition (AA-RC) to approach-withdrawal response competition (AW-RC) to withdrawal-withdrawal response competition (WW-RC) and double approach-withdrawal response competition (DAW-RC)]. The most apparent weakness is the divergence between the conceptual importance of oscillation behavior and its limited direct use in research. A number of heuristic thrusts into new methods and contents are noted: namely, varied punishment effects, mastery of fear, risk taking, psychopathology and personality testing, alcohol and drug addiction, attitude formation and change, unpracticed time-course effects, and development of another RC model [withdrawal-approach response competition (WA-RC)]. Potential relevance to the various RC models is noted of a theory of active CNS reward and passive CNS punishment centers.