We define “social relating” as the pursuit of Relational Complementarity (RelComp): the quality of any interaction pattern that is constituted by actions by each participant that presuppose and complete one another, according to a shared relational model. RelComp is the collective goal-state that individuals must pursue and fulfill in order to produce coherent interactions (e.g. handshakes, business transactions). We hypothesized that psychological rewards resulting from social coordination are fulfilled by RelComp. Specifically, we tested whether RelComp elicits positive affect and fulfills fundamental needs to belong, trust and control. In four experiments, participants read scenarios describing social interactions and rated how they would feel in the character’s shoes. We also manipulated: communal, hierarchical, equalitarian and business interactions; giving vs. receiving benefits; and effort vs. ability attributions. In the four experiments participants in the complementarity condition rated more positive and less negative emotions, and higher sense of belonging, control and trust.

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