‘Fear’ of Crime: Role of Defensive Personality Factors for Concern About Crime

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam Satchell ◽  
Oliver Waddup ◽  
Alison Bacon ◽  
Philip Corr
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Fear Of Crime ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
The Past ◽  
Personality Research ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
The Relationship

Research into ‘fear of crime’ often interchangeably uses the terms ‘anxiety’, ‘fear’ and ‘worry’. However, neuropsychological and personality research makes a crucial distinction between fear, anxiety and worry. Theoretically, it is likely that anxiety (rumination on the past and worry about the future) rather than fear (i.e., immediate reaction to high intensity threat) is a better predictor of ‘fear’ of crime. We studied the relationship between anxiety, fear and anger (using measures from Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory) and concerns about becoming a victim of crime. We also investigated the relationship between responses to hypothetical threat scenarios and general concerns about crime. In our sample (N = 250), we found, contrary to our predictions, that personality traits related to general fearfulness were predictive of concerns about crime – more so than traits related to anxiety or anger. Responses to hypothetical threat scenarios were predictive of concerns about crime, but less so than trait fear. Overall, our results suggest that it may, after all, be correct to suggest that concerns about becoming a victim of crime are more to do with being afraid than anxious or angry and we discuss the theoretical implications of this effect.

scholarly journals Nicotine Dependence Severity and Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory: Assessing the Mediating Role of Risky Decision Making Using Path Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 30278.1-30278.10
Author(s):  
Kiomars Cheraghi ◽  
◽  
Morad Rasouli-Azad ◽  
Hamid Reza Banafshe ◽  
Ali Yoonessi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Nicotine Dependence ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Risky Decision ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Gray’s revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (r-RST) is a neuropsychological explanation of personality that has been broadly used in substance use disorders. Although the Behavioral Approach System (BAS) is strongly related to nicotine dependence, findings in Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) are controversial and there is little information about the role of the Fight/Flight/Freeze System (FFFS) in nicotine dependence. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the mediating role of Risky Decision Making (RDM) in this relationship to clarify the controversy and fill the gap. Methods: The final sample of this correlation study comprised of 347 university students (age, Mean±SD 23.2±6.7) who completed two self-report measures, including the Fagerstrom Test For Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Jackson-5 questionnaire of r-RST, and a computerized Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) to measure RDM. Pearson correlation and a path analysis framework were used to determine the simple, direct, and indirect effects of r-RST systems on nicotine dependence severity through RDM. Results: Using Amos, path analyses demonstrated significant direct and indirect effects of BAS and FFFS/BIS on tobacco use. Also, the relationship between BAS/FFFS/BIS and tobacco use was shown to be mediated by RDM. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that the relationship among BAS /FFFS/BIS and tobacco use can be partly explained using maladaptive RDM strategies, suggesting that decreasing reliance on decision-making in risky situations, while increasing the use of decision-making skills educations in risky situations, and increasing the use of alternative sensation and fun seeking by smoking and emotion regulation and mindfulness-based therapies

Escaping Threat

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Kambouropoulos ◽  
Sarah Egan ◽  
Elodie J. O’Connor ◽  
Petra K. Staiger
Keyword(s):  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Threat Perceptions ◽  
Threat Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
The Relationship

Individuals with a hypersensitivity to threatening stimuli in the environment may be more likely to experience a higher level of social anxiety. According to Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST), there are two important aspects of threat stimuli that influence subsequent emotional and behavioral responses. Specifically, perceptions pertaining to defensive direction and distance are considered critical factors in understanding threat responses. This paper aimed to determine whether threat perceptions mediate the relationship between threat sensitivity and social anxiety. Self-report measures of sensitivity to threat, social anxiety, and a vignette designed to assess threat perceptions were administered to a sample of 218 participants (73% female; M age = 33.75, SD age = 11.52). Data indicated a mediational influence of perceived escapability on the relationship between sensitivity to threat and social anxiety. Overall, these findings highlight the role of perceived escapability of threat in understanding the relationship between threat sensitivity and social anxiety.

A Comparison of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Measures: Unique Associations With Social Interaction Anxiety and Social Observation Anxiety

Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 627-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam L. Kramer ◽  
Benjamin F. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Social Interaction Anxiety ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
Social Observation ◽  
Freeze System ◽  
Interaction Anxiety

Evidence suggests that the behavior inhibition system (BIS) and fight-flight-freeze system play a role in the individual differences seen in social anxiety disorder; however, findings concerning the role of the behavior approach system (BAS) have been mixed. To date, the role of revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) subsystems underlying social anxiety has been measured with scales designed for the original RST. This study examined how the BIS, BAS, and fight, flight, freeze components of the fight-flight-freeze system uniquely relate to social interaction anxiety and social observation anxiety using both a measure specifically designed for the revised RST and a commonly used original RST measure. Comparison of regression analyses with the Jackson-5 and the commonly used BIS/BAS Scales revealed important differences in the relationships between RST subsystems and social anxiety depending on how RST was assessed. Limitations and future directions for revised RST measurement are discussed.

scholarly journals Social anxiety and rumination in the context of the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory and the mediation model of social anxiety

Psihologija ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 34-34
Author(s):  
Kristina Randjelovic ◽  
Nikola Cirovic
Keyword(s):  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Additional Contribution ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Behavioural Inhibition ◽  
Thought Style ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between temperament, ruminative thought style and social anxiety using latent variable modeling. Before examining the integrated model that specifies the relations between the constructs, relevant measurement issues were examined. The study was conducted on a heterogeneous sample from the general population that included 1,029 participants (62.1% female) aged 19 to 79. The findings show that the Behavioural Inhibition System is the most important vulnerability factor for the development of social anxiety, and it has both a direct effect and an indirect one through the ruminative thought style. Also, Freeze has an additional contribution to the increased experience of social anxiety. The Behavioural Approach System has complex effects on social anxiety - with a direct protective effect, and indirectly - with a facilitation of the ruminative thought style. Thus, BAS can also act as a risk factor. The findings support the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and provide a basis for the extension of the Kimbrel?s Mediation Model of Social Anxiety

An analysis of reinforcement sensitivity theory and the five‐factor model

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 869-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
John T. Mitchell ◽  
Nathan A. Kimbrel ◽  
Natalie E. Hundt ◽  
Amanda R. Cobb ◽  
Rosemery O. Nelson‐Gray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sensitivity To Punishment

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) and the Five‐Factor Model (FFM) are two prominent personality accounts that have emerged from different backgrounds. Although the two accounts are applied to similar research topics, there is limited empirical work examining the correspondence between them. The current study explored the relationship between RST‐based personality traits and the FFM domains and facets in an undergraduate sample (n = 668). Regression analyses indicated that Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) was positively associated with Neuroticism and Agreeableness, and negatively associated with Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness. In contrast, Sensitivity to Reward (SR) was positively associated with Extraversion and Neuroticism, and negatively associated with Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. Exploratory analyses at the facet level specified the relationship between SP, SR, and each domain. A factor analysis was also conducted to explore the higher‐order factor structure of RST and the FFM domains. Three factors emerged, which we labelled SP, Stability‐Impulsivity, and Sensation Seeking. Taken together, these findings suggest that there is substantial overlap between these two accounts of personality. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

scholarly journals Impulsivity and Behaviour Problems in Dogs: A Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Perspective

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Piotti ◽  
Liam Satchell ◽  
Tom Lockhart
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Problems ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Personality Research ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
Trait Impulsivity ◽  
Relevant Topic ◽  
Personality Models ◽  
Neuropsychological Theory

Trait impulsivity is an increasingly relevant topic for human and non-human animal personality research. There are similarities in dog and human manifestations of trait impulsivity at the behavioural, genetic, and neurobiological level. We investigated a well-validated measure of dog impulsivity and responsivity (the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale, DIAS) and a neuropsychological theory of human trait approach and avoidance (the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of personality, RST). Owners reported their dogs’ dispositional behaviour on the DIAS, an RST scale modified to describe dogs’ behaviour, and a list of common dog behaviour problems. In a sample of 730 dogs, we observed convergence between the RST and the DIAS. There was a negative correlation between RST ‘Behaviour Inhibition System’ and DIAS impulsivity factor (‘Behavioural Regulation’). RST ‘Behavioural Approach System’ correlated positively with DIAS ‘Responsiveness’. The RST ‘Fight-Flight-Freeze System’ (FFFS) and the DIAS ‘Aggression and response to novelty factor were both distinct from other factors. However, the DIAS ‘Aggression and response to novelty’ factor and the RST FFFS explained different aspects of dog behaviour problems. Importantly, whilst the DIAS factors indicated tendencies towards avoidant behaviours, the FFFS discriminated between active and passive avoidance. The findings suggest a partial overlapping between the DIAS and RST scales, and highlights the utility of personality models in investigating behaviour problems in dogs.

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