Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire Research Articles

The Relationship Between Brain-Behavior Systems, Dark Personality Traits, Alexithymia, and Theory of Mind Deficits in Sexual Offenders

The aim of the current research is to examine the relationship between brain-behavior systems, dark personality dimensions, and Alexithymia with theory of mind deficits in sexual offenders. For this purpose, 80 inmates from the central prison of Bojnurd were selected using purposive sampling. The variables were measured using the Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ), the Dirty Dozen scale of dark personality traits, the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the fight system and theory of mind deficits; and significant negative correlations between the flight and freeze systems, all aspects of dark personality dimensions, difficulty in identifying and describing feelings, and overall Alexithymia with theory of mind deficits. The regression analysis findings suggest that the fight/flight/freeze systems, dark personality traits, and Alexithymia play predictive roles in mind-reading abilities.

Mediating Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in the relationship between Brain-Behavioral System Activity and Marital Satisfaction

Objectives: This study aims to assess the mediating role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation (CER) strategies in the relationship between brain-behavioral system activity and marital satisfaction. Methods: This is a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population consists of all married men and women referred to two clinics of petrochemical industries in Mahshahr, of whom: 200 (106 female and 94 male) were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were the Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Pearson correlation test, multiple regression analysis and path analysis were carried out in SPSS v.17 and LISREL v.8.8. Results: All dimensions of CER (negative and positive strategies) and the activity of brain-behavioral system were significantly associated with marital satisfaction. Both negative and positive CER strategies and two Behavioral Activating System and Fight/Flight System as components of the brain-behavioral system had direct association and the Behavioral Inhibition System component had indirect association with marital satisfaction. They had good predictive power to predict marital satisfaction in families. Conclusion: The brain-behavioral system activity, as a biological model of personality, and the use of CER strategies have can predict marital satisfaction.

Comparison of Behavioral Cerebral Systems in Tattooed and Non-tattooed Substance-Dependent Individuals

Background: Tattoos or stencils on the body have a special charm for the people of different cultures. The fact that such stencils are considered attractive and essential to some people from a specific culture has led to the conclusion that there might be factors which make tattooing attractive to someone. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine and compare behavioral activation system (BAS), behavioral inhibition system (BIS), and fight-or-flight system between tattooed and non-tattooed substance-dependent individuals. Methods: Using convenience sampling method, this study included 146 substance-dependent individuals (73 tattooed and 73 non-tattooed) referring to Baharan rehabilitation center in Zahedan, Iran. Data collection was done by the short form of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ), and data were analyzed by independent t-test. Results: According to the results of GWPQ, in BIS, in tattooed individuals, extinction and total scores of avoidance was significantly higher than non-tattooed. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between BAS and fight-or-flight system. Conclusions: While BAS is associated with positive emotions, BIS is associated with negative emotions. The tattoo seems to be a sign of special personality characteristics and can be used as a way to extinction the emotions and avoiding to deal with pejorative emotions.

Effects of Behavioral Activation/Inhibition Systems as Predictors of Substance Abuse in Bipolar Patients

Background: Recently, more evidence has been presented regarding the role of behavioral activation/inhibition systems as predictors of substance use disorders. In fact, these systems are regarded as potentially important factors in the development of this complex psychiatric problem. Objectives: This study aimed to determine how behavioral activation/inhibition systems, namely behavioral activation, behavioral inhibition, and fight-flight freezing systems, affect substance abuse in bipolar patients. Methods: A total of 79 patients with bipolar disorder were selected among hospitalized patients in the psychiatric ward of Kamkar-Arabnia Hospital in Qom, Iran. The participants completed the Gray-Wilson personality questionnaire, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Mood Disorder Questionnaire, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: Behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition systems emerged as significant predictors of substance abuse in bipolar patients (χ2 = 52.511; df = 3; P < 0.0005). Gender and type of bipolar disorder (I or II) showed no significant association with the scores of behavioral activation, behavioral inhibition, or fight-flight freezing systems. Also, the behavioral inhibition system scores could predict manic mood (χ2 = 7.067; df = 3; P < 0.070). Conclusions: The findings of the current study provide further evidence regarding the role of behavioral activation and inhibition systems as predictors of substance abuse in bipolar patients.

A Comparison of Behavioral Activation/Inhibition Systems and Mindfulness in Addicts and Non-addicted Males

The main objective of this causal-comparative research was to compare behavioral activation and inhibition systems and mindfulness in addicts and non-addicted men of Maragheh, Iran. In order to do this, 35 addicted males and 35 non-addicted men were chosen using purposeful sampling method and via matching the two groups. The participants answered the 120-item test of activation/inhibition systems (Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire or GWPQ) and the 39-item test of mindfulness (Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills or KIMS). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and SPSS software. The findings showed that the compared groups in activation/inhibition systems and mindfulness had meaningful differences. The average scores of mindfulness in healthy people were higher than those of the addicted people. While the average scores of behavioral inhibition system in healthy people were higher than addicts, the average scores of behavioral activation system in addicts were higher than non-addicted people. In general, since this study showed that activity level of activation system in addicted people is more than non-addicts, activity level of inhibition system in non-addicts is more than addicted people, and that mindfulness skill in addicts is lower than non-addicts there is the necessity to design therapeutic and rehabilitative interventions.

Relationship between suicide ideation and Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems (BIS/BAS) and perfectionism

Background: The present research investigated the relationship between suicide ideation and Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems (BIS/BAS) and perfectionism in university Students. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on200 students at university of Tabriz that were selected by multistage cluster sampling. The subjects answered three questionnaires: Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI), Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation and multiple regression. Results: Results showed that there is a significant relationship between suicide ideation and behavioral inhibition system (R=0/55), self-oriented perfectionism(R=0/40) and socially- prescribed perfectionism (0/47) (p=0.01). Also, the results of regression analysis showed that behavioral inhibition system, self-oriented and socially-prescribed perfectionism could significantly predict suicide ideation. Conclusion: Behavioral activation system (BIS) and self-oriented /socially prescribed perfectionism were correlated to and could predict suicide ideation.

The Survey of Behavioral Systems in Relation to Test Anxiety: A Comparative Study

Aim: This study aimed to compare the behavioral activation systems between students with test anxiety (TA) and without TA. Methods: This study included undergraduate students registered at the Medical Science University of during 2009-2010. The selected female students (N=300) completed Test Anxiety Scale (TAS) and Gray-Wilson personality questionnaire (GWPQ) and 100 students who have obtained the lowest and highest scores in TA questionnaire, were further compared according to Grays Brine-Behavioral questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a T-test. Results: The results showed that samples were significantly different in total scores of Gray-Wilson personality questionnaire. In terms of subscales of Gray-Wilson personality questionnaire, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the behavioral inhabitation system (BIS) and fight -flight system (FFS) but no significant differences found between two groups in the behavioral activation system (BAS). Conclusion: Test Anxiety was corresponded with brain systems behavior theory, and anxiety increased in the avoidance system activation.

Comparing the activity of brain/behavioral systems and happiness in male and female students

This study aimed to compare the activity of brain/behavioral systems (behavioral activity system, behavioral inhibition system, fight-flight system) and happiness in male and female students. In the present study, 100 students (55 female and 45 male) were selected by convenience sampling method. The participants were asked to complete the Gray-Wilson personality Questionnaire (GWPQ) and oxford happiness inventory (0HI). Analysis of the data involved both descriptive and inferential statistics including means, standard deviations and Student's t-test. The results show there is a significant difference between two groups in level activity of behavioral activity system (BAS), behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and fight- flight system (FFS). Generally, happiness rate and activity level of BAS in males group is more than females group, but females group were more active in BIS and FFS. The results show that happiness rate is increased by more active BAS. Accordingly, the findings of this study conform with Gray model abut reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST).

The Comparing Activity of Brain/Behavioral Systems and Mental Health in Normal and Addict's Individuals

Based on the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) normal and abnormal personality are located along a continuum. This study amid to compare the activity of brain/behavioral systems and mental health in addicts and normal individuals based on Jeffrey Gray theory. This research was a kind of cross sectional research. 50 addict and 50 normal subjects were chosen by convenience sampling method and based on age, sex, and educational level variables were matched. In this research of Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ) and depression, anxiety, Stress scales (DASS-21) were used. Data were analyzed by t- test in independent Groups.The results showed that there is a significant difference between normal and addict's individuals in both behavioral activation system (BAS)and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) (P<0/000), but there isn’t a significant difference in Fight/flight/freeze system (FFFS) and also there is a significant difference between mental health components in normal and addict's individuals (p<0/000). The results of this study conform to basic hypotheses of reinforcement sensitivity theory Gray and psychological conditions of addict's individuals.

Relationship Between Brain/Behavioural Systems and Mental Health Among Students

The purpose of this study was the examination relationship between the activity systems of brain/behavioural and mental health in students. This search was descriptive and from correlation kind. 100 students were selected by convenience sampling method. The participants were asked to complete the Gray-Wilson personality Questionnaire (GWPQ) and mental Health Questionnaire (DASS-21). Pearson's correlation coefficient and liner regression was used for data analyses.Results indicated there is a significant correlation between systems of brain/behavioural (BAS, BIS, FFS) and mental health. Results also indicated that systems of brain/behavioural (BAS, BIS, FFS) can predict mental health (Depression, anxiety, stress) in other word, increase or decrease the amount of the activity systems of brain/behavioural have significant varieties in relation to their mental health.

The associations among the Big Five, Behavioural Inhibition and Behavioural Approach systems and child and adolescent adjustment in Russia

The associations among the Big Five, Behavioural Inhibition (BIS), Behavioural Approach (BAS) systems and adjustment measured by academic achievement and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were examined with parent-reports of 944 Russian 3–18 year old children and self-reports of 1013 adolescents. Personality was measured by the Inventory of Child Individual Differences (ICID), which assessed dimensions of the Five Factor Model; in addition, adolescents completed a short form of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire which assessed dimensions of BIS and BAS. BAS was negatively related to Agreeableness and Conscientiousness, and BIS was positively associated with Neuroticism and negatively related to Extraversion. Both BIS and BAS were associated with Negative Emotionality. Overall, all personality measures accounted for 11–25% of the variance in self reported adjustment measures, explaining more than 20% of emotional and behavioural problems. The predictive power of child’s personality for parent reported adjustment measures was higher, explaining 28% of academic achievement and 32% of total psychological problems. The results are discussed in light of the possible role of BIS and BAS in shaping child personality and adjustment.

Personality, temperament and adolescent adjustment in modern Russia

This study examined the predictive power of three temperament/personality measures—the EPQ which assessed dimensions of Eysenck’s personality model, the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ) which assessed dimensions of Gray’s model, and the Revised Dimensions of Temperament Survey (DOTS-R)—on adjustment measured by academic achievement and mental health with a sample of 255 Russian adolescents. Academic achievement in boys was predicted by parent’s education level and intact family; in girls, parent education, DOTS-R Flexibility and General Rhythmicity together accounted for 31% of variance. Conduct Problems in boys were predicted by GWPQ Behavioural Activation and DOTS-R General Rhythmicity; in girls, the only significant predictor was Flexibility. Emotional Problems were influenced by living conditions and GWPQ Behavioural Inhibition. Total Difficulties were predicted by living conditions, Flexibility and Psychoticism. These adolescent temperament-mental health and -academic achievement findings were discussed within the context of adolescent development in modern Russia.

The role of personality in the co-occurrence of emotional and conduct problems in adolescents: a confirmation of Corr's “joint subsystems” hypothesis

Adjustment problems were investigated in a sample of 768 Russian adolescents aged 11–17 years using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by teachers, parents and children. Participants also completed a short form of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ-S) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R). Neuroticism (N) and behavioural inhibition (BIS) were the best predictors of emotional symptoms (ES), while psychoticism (P) and behavioural activation (BAS) predicted conduct disorder (CD). Co-occurrence of ES and CD was associated with high scores on both N and P. A combination of N and P mediated the relationship between self-reported ES and CD. Consistent with Corr, 2002a, Corr, 2002b hypothesis, BAS (or P) moderated the relationship between BIS (or N) and ES, while BIS (or N) moderated the relationship between BAS (or P) and CD. These interaction effects were most pronounced in males and were significant only for self-reported adjustment problems.

Behavioural activation as predictor of substance use: mediating and moderating role of attitudes and social relationships

Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use were investigated in 4501 Russian youths aged 14–25 years. The participants also filled out the short forms of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire along with questions about attitudes and social relationships. Behavioural Activation (BAS) was the best personality predictor of substance use. Its influence was mediated by disobedience to adults, affiliation with peers (Outings) and tolerant attitude toward illegal activity. BAS was negatively associated with subjective well-being and educational aspiration (Learn). Extraversion was the second strongest predictor of substance use with its influence being mostly mediated by Outings. Besides, Extraversion was positively associated with some protective factors such as subjective well-being, Learn and good relationship with parents. Effects of Neuroticism and Behavioural Inhibition (BIS) on substance use were weak and gender-specific. In females BIS provided a degree of protection while in males it increased the risk of substance use. The personality factors interacted so that BAS and Extraversion tended to mutually increase the impact of each other, while BIS diminished the effect of BAS. Among attitude variables, Outings acted as the most potent predictor of substance use. Relationship with parents was a protective factor, which acted most strongly in adolescents with higher Psychoticism and Extraversion.

Behavioural activation as predictor of substance use: mediating and moderating role of attitudes and social relationships

Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use were investigated in 4501 Russian youths aged 14–25 years. The participants also filled out the short forms of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire along with questions about attitudes and social relationships. Behavioural Activation (BAS) was the best personality predictor of substance use. Its influence was mediated by disobedience to adults, affiliation with peers (Outings) and tolerant attitude toward illegal activity. BAS was negatively associated with subjective well-being and educational aspiration (Learn). Extraversion was the second strongest predictor of substance use with its influence being mostly mediated by Outings. Besides, Extraversion was positively associated with some protective factors such as subjective well-being, Learn and good relationship with parents. Effects of Neuroticism and Behavioural Inhibition (BIS) on substance use were weak and gender-specific. In females BIS provided a degree of protection while in males it increased the risk of substance use. The personality factors interacted so that BAS and Extraversion tended to mutually increase the impact of each other, while BIS diminished the effect of BAS. Among attitude variables, Outings acted as the most potent predictor of substance use. Relationship with parents was a protective factor, which acted most strongly in adolescents with higher Psychoticism and Extraversion.

Comparison of the construct validity of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire and the BIS/BAS scales

345 subjects completed a translated, shortened version of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ), along with Russian versions of Carver and White’s BIS/BAS scales, the Eysenck Personality Profiler, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Exploratory factor analysis of GWPQ items pointed to a three-factor solution and three new scales were created which demonstrated adequate psychometric characteristics. Confirmatory factor analysis of the BIS/BAS scales showed that a four-factor model best fitted the data but the three BAS subscales should be treated as sub-factors of a second-order factor. Structural equation modelling showed that GWPQ scales generally explained Eysenck’s dimensions better than BIS/BAS scales. The distinction between GWPQ and Carver and White’s scales mainly concerned BAS measures. GWPQ BAS captured more of Psychoticism, whereas Carver and White’s BAS captured more of Extraversion.

Personality and substance use in Russian youths: The predictive and moderating role of behavioural activation and gender

Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use were investigated in a representative sample of 4501 Russian youths aged 14–25 years. In addition to questions on substance use (SU), the participants filled in the short forms of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ-S, Slobodskaya, Knyazev, Safronova, & Wilson, 2003) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) along with questions about environmental risk factors––family and peer SU. Behavioural activation (BAS) was the best personality predictor of SU. Personality variables moderated relations between SU and environmental risk factors. Social conformity enhanced the effect of family drinking on alcohol use, while N moderated the relationship between family smoking and self-smoking. Youths with more active BAS and lower social conformity were more vulnerable to the influence of deviant peers. E also increased peer influence, but this effect was most evident for males. BIS also predisposed to peer influence in males only.

Personality trait of behavioral inhibition is associated with oscillatory systems reciprocal relationships

The main aim of this paper is to offer a speculative evolutionary based interpretation of brain oscillations. We suppose that delta, theta and alpha oscillations are informational channels of three hierarchical philogenetic systems. Delta oscillations are linked with the most ancient system, which was dominant in reptilian brain. Theta oscillations dominate in lower mammals. Alpha oscillations are manifestation of activity of the newest system, which dominate in adult humans. The three hierarchical phylogenetic systems fulfill parallel processing and their contribution to resulting behavior could differ in different individuals. Relative contribution of each system is regulated by means of descending inhibition (DI), higher systems inhibiting the lower. One of this theory's implications is that the personality trait of behavioral inhibition (behavioral inhibition system, BIS) should be associated with a stronger DI but particular mechanism could be different in children and adults. In order to test this hypothesis in 95 children (11–16 years) and 45 adults (18–37 years) resting EEG recordings were obtained along with BIS scores assessed by the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire. Within subject strength of DI was measured by negative correlations between delta, theta and alpha powers estimated in individually adjusted EEG bands. In adults, BIS was associated with enhanced negative feedback from the alpha to the delta system, indicating a predominantly cortical origin of the adult humans’ anxiety. In children, BIS was associated with enhanced negative relation between theta and delta systems, which is similar to the mechanism known in animals where limbic system plays the crucial role in mediating anxiety and fear. Although the presented empirical data partly supported the theory, it remains to be speculative and needs further empirical validation.

Development of a short form of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire: its use in measuring personality and adjustment among Russian adolescents

Abstract The development of a short form of the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ-S) is described. On the basis of earlier, cross-cultural factor analyses of the original 120 items and 6 subscales it was decided to reduce the test to two major scales, the behavioural activation system (BAS) and the behavioural inhibition system (BIS). Although these bear similarity to the familiar factors of impulsiveness and anxiety, they differ in being derived from a pool of items specifically designed to tap human equivalents of the animal learning paradigms central to Gray's personality theory (approach, active avoidance, passive avoidance, extinction, fight and flight). Item reduction was based on factor loadings from a new sample of 454 Russian adolescents and correlations with previously validated criteria—teacher, parent and self-ratings of conduct and emotional problems. Despite the additional constraint of balanced direction of scoring (an advantage over previous BAS/BIS Scales), satisfactory internal consistency was achieved with a 28 item test (alphas of 0.67 and 0.64).

Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory: a psychometric critique

This study identifies valid orthogonal scales of Gray's animal learning paradigms, upon which his Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) is based, by determining a revised structure to the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ) ( Wilson, Gray, & Barrett, 1990). It is also determined how well Gray's RST scales predict the surface scales of personality, which were measured in terms of Eysenck Personality Profiler (EPP) scales, the EPQ-R and the learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) scales. First, results suggest that independent pathways of RST scales may exist in humans. Second, Fight seems related to Anxiety and not the Fight/Flight system as proposed by RST. Third, a remarkably consistent story emerges in that Extraversion scales are predicted by Fight, Psychoticism scales are predicted by Active-avoidance, Fight and/or Flight, and Neuroticism scales tend not to be predicted at all (except for Anxiety). Fourth, Gray's revised scales are unrelated to gender and age effects and show a predictable overlap with the LSQ and original GWPQ scales. It is concluded that Gray's model of personality might provide a stable biological basis of many surface scales of personality, but that there must also be other influences on personality. These results question the finer structure of Gray's RST whilst also showing that RST has greater range of applicability than a strict interpretation of theory implies.