Approaches were divided into competitive and cooperative ones. The most important factors that determine whether ..... each side seeked the nature of the dispute goals achieved. Often the two sides' goals were linked together, or interdependent. The parties' interaction was shaped by whether this interdependence was negative or positive. Goals with positive interdependence were tied together in such a way that the chance of one side attaining its goal was increased by the other side's attaining its goal. Positively interdependent goals normally resulted in cooperative approaches to negotiation, because any participant was able to attain his goal if, and only if, the others with whom he was linked could attain their goals. On the other hand, negative interdependence meant the chance of one side attaining its goal was decreased by the other's success.