Associations of behavioral inhibition system with negatively biased social cognitions: Moderation by the behavioral approach system

Abstract

Using the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral approach system (BAS) subscales of the BIS/BAS Scales (Carver & White, 1994), this study examined how the association of the BIS and the negatively biased social cognitions of social comparison, social ineptness, negative self-statements, and fear of negative evaluation, were moderated by BAS-Drive and BAS-Reward Responsiveness. A total of 302 (males = 101, females = 201) adults (age ranging from 18 to 65 years) from the general community completed questionnaires covering the different study variables. The findings indicted moderation by BAS-D for the predictions of social comparison, social ineptness, and negative self-statements, and moderation by BAS-RR for the predictions of social ineptness, negative self-statements, and fear of negative evaluation. For moderation effects, moderation was present at lower levels of BAS-D, and at higher levels of BAS-RR.