MMPI-2 predictors of Gray’s two-factor reinforcement sensitivity theory

Abstract

This study examined the utility of the MMPI-2 to predict Gray’s BIS/BAS dimensions in a sample of 193 Spanish undergraduates. Although the MMPI-2 is composed of numerous scale indices, we focused on the clinical, content, and the Personality Psychopathology-Five (PSY-5) scales. Overall, findings confirmed hypothesized associations between BIS/BAS factors and MMPI-2 indices. BIS scores demonstrated strong, positive relationships with numerous indices of anxiety, neuroticism, and negative affect, whereas BAS scores were positively related to indices of impulsivity, positive affect, disinhibition, extraversion, and anger. Multiple regression analyses further highlighted PSY-5 Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism scale and content scales of Low Self-esteem and Anxiety as predictors of BIS activity. By contrast, BAS activity was predicted by PSY-5 Positive Emotionality/Extraversion scale, the content scale of Type A Behavior, and the clinical scale of Hypomania. As expected, PSY-5 Constraint scale was a potent predictor of both BIS (positively) and BAS (negatively). Of particular interest, PSY-5 Aggressiveness scale predicted BIS and not BAS activity. Implications of these multivariate formulas for the assessment of BIS and BAS dimensions using the MMPI-2 are discussed.