The Neurology of Implicit Self-Esteem: The Relationship between Self-Reported Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System and Implicit Self-Esteem

Abstract

In our study, we measure the correlation between self-reported behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS) and implicit self-esteem. Based on reviews of previous studies, we formed two hypotheses. Firstly, people with higher self-reported BAS have higher implicit self-esteem than those who have lower BAS. Secondly, people with higher self-reported BIS have lower implicit self-esteem compared to people who show lower BIS. In addition to just examining the link, we intended to explain implicit self-esteem with biological factors. If our hypothesis can be proved, further research can devote to this area of exploring how a biological approach views implicit self-esteem. We form our study in a passive design, in which participants have to complete two measures: the Name Letter test for implicit self-esteem and the BIS/BAS Scale for self-reported BIS and BAS (Carver&White, 1994, Nuttin, 1985). The data will be analyzed using Pearson Correlation and be visualized into two scatter plots, each showing the result for one hypothesis. We predicted that there will be a positive correlation between self-reported BAS and implicit self-esteem, and a negative correlation between self-reported BIS and implicit self-esteem.