Resting Frontal Asymmetry and Reward Sensitivity Theory Motivational Traits

Vilfredo De Pascalis,Paolo Scacchia,Kathrin Sommer

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-31404-7

Vilfredo De Pascalis, Paolo Scacchia + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-31404-7

Copy DOI

Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Sep 3, 2018
Citations: 20	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome

Abstract

The revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (rRST) of personality has conceptualized three main systems: the behavioural approach system (BAS), behavioural inhibition system (BIS), and fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS). Research links greater relative left-frontal activity with BAS-related tendencies and impulsivity and greater relative right-frontal activity with “withdrawal” motivation that included both BIS and FFFS. Although rRST has addressed the separation of FFFS and BIS, much of personality neuroscience research does not indicate which system is related to right frontal activity. We administered the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ) to measure the BAS and its facets (goal-drive persistence, reward interest, reward reactivity, and impulsivity), BIS, and the withdrawal FFFS. We examined the association of RST-PQ traits with resting electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha-asymmetry in female participants (N = 162) by considering the influence of experimenter’s gender. In the total group, that included two subgroups with experimenters of different gender, BAS-impulsivity was related to greater left- than right-frontal activity, and FFFS, but not BIS, was related to greater relative right-frontocentral activity. These associations remained significant for the subgroup with a young same-sex experimenter, but not with opposite-sex experimenter.

Highlights

The original Reward Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality[1,2] emphasized only two of the systems underlying human behaviour: the behavioural approach system (BAS) and the behavioural inhibition system (BIS)
From the perspective of RST, the major problem with BIS/BAS scales is the lack of separation of the fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS) and the BIS, which may account for inconsistent findings in past research when relating the BIS scale to resting frontal alpha activity
The BAS-GDP, BAS – Reward Interest (BAS-RI), BAS-RR, and BIS traits were all unrelated to alpha asymmetry scores of interest

Summary

Introduction

The original Reward Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality[1,2] emphasized only two of the systems underlying human behaviour: the behavioural approach system (BAS) and the behavioural inhibition system (BIS). The BIS was thought to control goal-directed behaviour to aversive stimuli and signals of punishment and was described as the system of anxiety This theory mentioned a less delineated fight-flight system (FFS) that was responsible for fear. Corr and Cooper[35] developed the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ) to facilitate future research, on rRST and, in general, on approach-avoidance theories of personality This questionnaire employed theoretically motivated thematic facets to cover the defensive space, comprising the FFFS (Flight, Freeze, and Active Avoidance) and the BIS (Motor Planning Interruption, Worry, Obsessive Thoughts, and Behavioural Disengagement), allowing the important separation between these two systems and the important distinction of reward sensitivity and impulsivity. This distinction is since the first facet concerns the individual disposition to identify the biological reinforcer, the second the individual differences in emotional response to reward, and the third is tailored to reflect the final action for the capture of the desired object[4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion