Reinforcement sensitivity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking

Abstract

This symposium focuses on the interplay of the behavioral approach system (BAS) and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and their relationships with impulsivity and sensation-seeking. The first contribution (Zuckerman) discusses the relationships and the biological basis of sensation-seeking, impulsivity as well as BIS and BAS. The second talk (De Pascalis) offers further evidence of the involvement of BIS and BAS in approach and avoidance behavior and extends previous EEG findings to optimism. The third presentation (Stautz & Cooper) gives results of a meta-analysis on adolescent impulsivity and alcohol-consumption as well as empirical results from a recent study on adolescent substance-consumption. The fourth contribution (Schmitz & Wilhelm) also focuses on reinforcement sensitivity and sensation-seeking as predictors of adolescent risky and counter-productive behavior. The fifth presentation (Franquesa & Torrubia) reports findings as to functional and dysfunctional impulsivity as well as sensitivity to reward and punishment in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.