scholarly journals Bridging Classical and Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Research: A Longitudinal Analysis of a Large Population Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela A. Espinoza Oyarce ◽  
Richard Burns ◽  
Peter Butterworth ◽  
Nicolas Cherbuin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Community Survey ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Behavioural Inhibition ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
Theory Research

The reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) proposes that neurobiological systems mediate protective and appetitive behaviours and the functioning of these systems is associated to personality traits. In this manner, the RST is a link between neuroscience, behaviour, and personality. The theory evolved to the present revised version describing three systems: fight-flight-freezing, behavioural approach/activation (BAS), and behavioural inhibition (BIS). However, the most widely available measure of the theory, the BIS/BAS scales, only investigates two systems. Using a large longitudinal community survey, we found that the BIS/BAS scales can be re-structured to investigate the three systems of the theory with a BIS scale, three BAS scales, and a separate fight-flight-freezing system (FFFS) scale. The re-structured scales were age, sex, and longitudinally invariant, and associations with personality and mental health measures followed theoretical expectations and previously published associations. The proposed framework can be used to investigate behavioural choices influencing physical and mental health and bridge historical with contemporary research.

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

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 PERFECTIONISM IN THE CONTEXT OF THE REVISED REINFORCEMENT SENSITIVITY THEORY

2021 ◽  
pp. 039
Author(s):  
Kristina Ranđelovic ◽  
Snežana Stojiljković
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Behavioural Inhibition ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
Explained Variance ◽  
Behavioural Inhibition System

The main goal of this research was to examine the role of personality traits in predicting the two aspects of perfectionism – maladaptive evaluation concerns and positive strivings. Personality traits were postulated by the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, while the dimensions of perfectionism were defined by the Model of Perfectionism developed by Frost et al. The sample consisted of 299 students of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš (79.3% were female), aged 19 to 29 years (M = 20.34; SD = 1.83). The instruments used were: the Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS). The main takeaways of this research indicate that the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) is the strongest and positive correlate of maladaptive evaluation concerns, followed by Freeze and Fight. Unlike personality defence systems, the Behavioural Approach System (BAS) shows a negative correlation with the abovementioned criterion. The total percentage of explained variance for maladaptive evaluation concerns is 23%. When positive strivings are used as the criterion, BAS is seen as a positive correlate only in the first step of the hierarchical regression analysis. However, Flight and Fight represent consistent and positive correlates of this criterion. The total percentage of explained variance for positive strivings is 6.9%. The findings are consistent with the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and available empirical findings from previous studies. Moreover, the results indicate that in the context of the abovementioned personality theory, maladaptive evaluation concerns and positive strivings can be understood as maladaptive forms of perfectionism, which deviates from previous understandings of perfectionism.

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire--Dutch Version

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serafine Dierickx ◽  
Dirk Smits ◽  
Philip J. Corr ◽  
Penelope Hasking ◽  
Laurence Claes
Keyword(s):  
Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Dutch Version ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity

The Effects of Profit-Sharing Plans, Client Importance, and Reinforcement Sensitivity on Audit Quality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herman van Brenk ◽  
Barbara Majoor ◽  
Arnold M. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Agency Theory ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Profit Sharing ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
Reporting Decisions ◽  
Auditor Reporting

Despite concerns that profit-sharing plans might have a detrimental effect on audit quality, there is little empirical evidence on this issue. We examine the effects of the type of profit-sharing plan, level of client importance, and auditor reinforcement sensitivity (joint sensitivity to rewards and punishments) on auditor reporting decisions. By relying on agency theory and reinforcement sensitivity theory, we posit that the joint effects of profit sharing and client importance on auditors' decisions are contingent on reinforcement sensitivity. In an experiment with 450 audit partners and managers, we manipulate type of profit-sharing plan and client importance, and measure extroversion and neuroticism. We find the highest audit quality when profit sharing is based on firm performance, client importance is low, and reinforcement sensitivity is high. Thus, instead of just modifying the type of profit-sharing plans, it is the mix of economic incentives and personality traits that affect audit quality.

The New Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory: Implications for Personality Measurement

2006 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 320-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke D. Smillie ◽  
Alan D. Pickering ◽  
Chris J. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Formal Models ◽  
Personality Measurement ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Sensitivity Theory ◽  
Interdependent System ◽  
Reinforcement Sensitivity ◽  
Psychometric Measures ◽  
Trait Impulsivity ◽  
Psychometric Measurement ◽  
Future Work

In this article, we review recent modifications to Jeffrey Gray's (1973, 1991) reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST), and attempt to draw implications for psychometric measurement of personality traits. First, we consider Gray and McNaughton's (2000) functional revisions to the biobehavioral systems of RST. Second, we evaluate recent clarifications relating to interdependent effects that these systems may have on behavior, in addition to or in place of separable effects (e.g., Corr, 2001; Pickering, 1997). Finally, we consider ambiguities regarding the exact trait dimension to which Gray's “reward system” corresponds. From this review, we suggest that future work is needed to distinguish psychometric measures of (a) fear from anxiety and (b) reward-reactivity from trait impulsivity. We also suggest, on the basis of interdependent system views of RST and associated exploration using formal models, that traits that are based upon RST are likely to have substantial intercorrelations. Finally, we advise that more substantive work is required to define relevant constructs and behaviors in RST before we can be confident in our psychometric measures of them.

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