In Study 1 we turned to our main purpose: to identify the mechanisms for these associations. As noted, we expected that anxiously attached individuals would be more likely to endorse the utilitarian option because their strong need to belong fosters a focus on the welfare of the larger group. In contrast, we expected that avoidant individuals would be more likely to endorse the utilitarian option because their discomfort in caring for others fosters less empathy for the individual being sacrificed.