[System analysis of social motivation III: An estimation study of security and arousal regulation in adolescence]

An experiment using a simulated spaceflight scenario was applied to 32 adolescent subjects of both sexes in order to investigate human security and arousal regulation. In adolescence, these motivational systems play a key role in achieving two reorientations: the detachment from primary caregivers and the upcoming interest in strangers, which eventually establishes a new and mature form of attachment. Based on a control model proposed in an earlier article of this series, a parameter estimation was performed which allowed for a satisfactory simulation of the actual flight behavior of most subjects. A psychologically plausible interpretation of the parameters was possible. In particular, the results obtained indicate a gender specific differentiation in the development of both motivational systems during adolescence.