The Impact of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory on Aggressive Behavior

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052094814
Author(s):  
Kristy-Elizabeth M. Parker ◽  
Nicola Farrell ◽  
Benjamin R. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Reactive Aggression ◽  
Social Dominance Orientation ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Proactive And Reactive Aggression ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
The Impact

Why some people, and not others, exhibit aggression remains unknown. Research points to certain personality traits being linked to either proactive or reactive aggression, or both. The current study attempts to address these gaps from the perspective of revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST). Using 146 participants, results revealed Behavioral Approach System (BAS)-Impulsivity and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) predicted proactive and reactive aggression. Defensive Fight predicted reactive aggression. BAS-Impulsivity predicted proactive aggression partially mediated by Social Dominance Orientation. These findings suggest proactive and reactive aggression are motivated by a combination of anxiety and rapid, approach-motivational personality traits. This study provides further understanding of the specific relations between rRST and aggression, is integrated into the general aggression model, and has implications for treatment of aggressive individuals.

scholarly journals Dimensionality of the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure and Its Relationship to Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Gerson ◽  
Anke C. Plagnol ◽  
Philip J. Corr
Keyword(s):  
Social Comparison ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity

Abstract. The aims of this study were, first, to reassess the factor structure of the Iowa-Netherlands Social Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM) and, second, to explore the associations of its factors with the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality. Data from 337 respondents were collected via online questionnaire. Structural equation models were used to assess the factor structure of the INCOM and test for relationships with RST traits. The results confirmed previous findings that the INCOM contains two factors: Ability, which relates to the comparison of performance, and Opinion, which relates to the comparison of thoughts and emotions. The two-factor model was found to be superior to the commonly used one-factor solution. The models further revealed significant relationships with RST factors: positive associations between the Ability factor and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Approach System (BAS) Reward Reactivity; positive associations between the Opinion factor and BAS Reward Reactivity and Goal-Drive Persistence, and a negative association with BAS Impulsivity. These findings indicate that using the INCOM as a single scale is likely to miss significant unique relationships. Our findings also provide new insight into how individual differences in personality may influence social comparison behavior.

scholarly journals Problems of the defining the dimensions of the Gray's reinforcement sensitivity theory

Psihologija ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snezana Smederevac ◽  
Dusanka Mitrovic
Keyword(s):  
Big Five ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Psychometric Characteristics ◽  
Factor Solution ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity

Jeffrey Gray has modified Eysenck's system by rotating the dimensions of extraversion and neuroticism by 45 degrees, which resulted in two new dimensions: impulsivity (behavioral approach system) and anxiety (behavioral inhibition system). The main purpose of this study was to examine psychometric properties of the BIS/BAS scale, inventory for assessment of dimensions included in Gray's theory, in order to, also, test the foundation of the Gray's constructs themselves. 476 participants were included, age 17 to 77. All subjects completed The BIS/BAS scale (Carver & White, 1994) and The Big Five Inventory (BFI; John, Donahue & Kentle, 1991, according to: John & Srivastava, 1999). Analysis of the BIS/BAS scale failed to replicate the original four-factor solution. Three factors were extracted, named Behavioral inhibition system (BIS), BAS-Striving for excitement and BAS-Drive. Psychometric characteristics of the BIS/BAS scale are not satisfactory. Result of the joint factor analysis of dimensions of the BIS/BAS scale and dimensions of the BFI questionnaire are three factors named active striving for reward, sensation seeking and anxiety. In general results can be considered supportive rather to Eysenck than to Gray, but they could also be ascribed to the failure in questionnaire operationalisation of the constructs of Reinforcement sensitivity theory.

Validation of the Measure of Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Constructs

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snežana Smederevac ◽  
Dušanka Mitrović ◽  
Petar Čolović ◽  
Željka Nikolašević
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Inhibition ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
Components Analysis

The paper presents validation of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), measuring the constructs of the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity theory (RST). The research was conducted on a sample of 565 participants, using three measures of the constructs of the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory – the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System (BIS/BAS) scale, Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ), and Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire. The results of confirmatory factor analysis suggest good internal validity of the RSQ, while the results of principal components analysis show that the RSQ scales are significantly related to other RST measures.

Structural Relationships Among the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 654-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher C. Spencer ◽  
Joshua D. Foster ◽  
Jeffrey S. Bedwell
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Clinical Model ◽  
Vulnerable Narcissism ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Structural Relationships ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity

Research shows that grandiosity and vulnerability are distinct aspects of narcissism. The Contemporary Clinical Model (CCM) of narcissism suggests that individuals fluctuate between grandiose narcissism (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN). The authors examine the relative contributions of the Behavioral Approach System (BAS), the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), and the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS) in the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality (r-RST) to GN and VN. Few studies examine the r-RST, and even fewer examine the VN and GN distinction. To remain consistent with the CCM, structural equation modeling was used to account for individuals’ relative levels of VN and GN. Across two independent samples (Ns = 854 and 258), results indicated that GN is associated with higher BAS scores and that VN is associated with higher BIS scores. Relations among GN, VN, and FFFS were inconsistent between samples. Implications of the r-RST results are interpreted within the context of the CCM.

scholarly journals Interactive Effects of the BIS and the BAS on Trajectories of Alcohol Misuse after University Graduation

2015 ◽  
Vol 9s1 ◽  
pp. SART.S31434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Keough ◽  
Roisin M. O'connor
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Inhibition ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
Online Measures

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory predicts that those with a strong behavioral inhibition system (BIS) likely experience considerable anxiety and uncertainty during the transition out of university. Accordingly, they may continue to drink heavily to cope during this time (a period associated with normative reductions in heavy drinking), but only if they also have a strong behavioral approach system (BAS) to enhance the anxiolytic effects of drinking. The purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis. Participants completed online measures prior to and at 3-month intervals over the course of the year following graduation. As hypothesized, results showed that an elevated BIS predicted impeded maturing out, but only when the impulsivity facet of BAS was also elevated. In contrast, a strong BIS predicted rapid maturing out if BAS impulsivity was weak. Study findings advance our understanding of BIS-related alcohol misuse trajectories in young adulthood and provide direction for clinical interventions.

scholarly journals Emotional and Behavioral Responses to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-347
Author(s):  
Alison M. Bacon ◽  
Dino Krupić ◽  
Nese Caki ◽  
Philip J. Corr
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Personality Research ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity

Abstract. This review appraises evidence for the role of personality in COVID-19 related emotions and behaviors. Three key models of personality are considered: the Five-factor Model, HEXACO model, and Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST). In line with personality research, more generally, most studies focus on the Five-Factor model. Key findings are that neuroticism is most associated with poor mental health, and extraversion is associated with a reluctance to socially isolate. Conscientiousness predicts compliance with safety guidelines but also with fewer prosocial behaviors, particularly stockpiling. Research within the HEXACO framework largely confirms these findings, especially for emotionality and mental health. The additional HEXACO Honesty-Humility factor is found to be associated with prosocial views and abstention from panic buying. Studies based on the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of personality indicate emotional conflict as people wish to stay safe while maintaining a sense of normality. Behavioral compliance is driven by activation in the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS; fear-related) and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS; anxiety-related). The Behavioral Approach System (BAS) is implicated in approach-driven behaviors such as avoiding infection. These findings have implications for health communications and post-pandemic support.

scholarly journals Approach/avoidance personality traits as predictors of psychopathology in convicted offenders

Psihologija ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-91
Author(s):  
Katerina Naumova ◽  
Zoran Kitkanj
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
General Context ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Prison Programs ◽  
System Sensitivity ◽  
Forensic Sample

This study examined the role of approach and avoidance personality traits as temperamental risk factors for psychopathology using the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory as theoretical framework. Self-report measures were administered to male convicted offenders (N = 162) and controls matched for age, education, and ethnicity (N = 162). The results show higher approach and passive avoidance tendencies in the forensic sample, as well as higher psychological distress relative to controls. In the forensic sample, both approach and avoidance traits can account for a high degree of psychopathology vulnerability. However, higher behavioral inhibition system sensitivity is the primary risk factor both for general distress and various dimensions of psychopathology, while lower behavioral approach system sensitivity predicts internalizing psychopathology, paranoid, and psychoticism symptoms. The findings are discussed both in the general context of personality-psychopathology links, as well as in the forensic context of potential mental health interventions as part of rehabilitation prison programs.

scholarly journals Fear and Anxiety in Social Setting

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Ranđelović ◽  
Snežana Smederevac ◽  
Petar Čolović ◽  
Philip J. Corr
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Behavioral Approach ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Free Recall Task ◽  
Probability Of Occurrence ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dispositional and situational factors on cognitive biases. The theoretical background was based on Kimbrel’s Mediated Model of Social Anxiety and the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory by Gray and McNaughton. Two experiments were conducted. Study 1 (78 participants [85.9% females, aged 19–21 years]) included the induction of potential social threat, while in Study 2 (121 participants [85.1% females, aged 19–23 years]) real threat was used. The Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire was employed as a measure of personality traits (Behavioral Inhibition System [BIS], Behavioral Approach System [BAS], Fight, Flight, and Freeze). Cognitive biases were assessed with the Dot Probe Task (attentional bias), Incidental Free Recall Task (memory bias), and Social Probability Cost Questionnaire (judgmental bias). The probability of occurrence of negative events was higher in the experimental group. BIS contributed positively to the prediction of probability of occurrence of negative events; and Freeze was positively related to attention bias toward pleasant stimuli. The results of the second study showed that experimentally induced circumstances of social threats did not affect cognitive biases. BIS and Freeze contributed positively to prediction of probability and distress in social context, while BIS was positively related with probability of occurrence of negative social events.

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