Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Systems Research Articles

Examination of associations between psychopathy and neural reinforcement sensitivity theory constructs.

We investigated psychopathy from the neurobiological perspective of reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST). In contrast to previous semantically derived self-report scales, we operationalised RST systems neurally with evoked electroencephalography (EEG). Participants were from a community sample weighted towards externalising psychopathology. We compared the Carver & White Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS)/Behavioural Approach System (BAS) scales with EEG responses associated with RST's systems of goal conflict (aka 'behavioural inhibition'), repulsion/outcome conflict (aka 'fight/flight/freeze') and attraction (aka 'approach'). Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analysis yielded results generally consistent with past literature for associations between psychopathy and the self-report BIS/BAS scales. There were some differences from self-report associations with neural measures of RST. With EEG measures, (1) no meaningful associations were observed between any psychopathy scales and the attraction system; (2) affective-interpersonal traits of psychopathy were negatively associated with goal conflict; (3) disinhibition-behavioural traits of psychopathy were negatively associated with goal conflict but, unexpectedly, positively associated with outcome conflict. These results indicate frontal-temporal-limbic circuit dysfunction in psychopathy as specific domains were linked to neural deficits in goal conflict processing, but there was no evidence for deficits in attraction-related processes.

Midfrontal conflict theta and parietal P300 are linked to a latent factor of DSM externalising disorders.

Psychiatric illnesses form spectra rather than categories, with symptoms varying continuously across individuals, i.e., there is no clear break between health and disorder. Dimensional measures of behaviour and brain activity are promising targets for studying biological mechanisms that are common across disorders. Here, we assessed the extent to which neural measures of the sensitivity of the three biological systems in the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) could account for individual differences in a latent general factor estimated from symptom counts across externalising disorders (EXTs). RST explanatory power was pitted against reduced P300, a reliable indicator of externalising per previous research. We assessed 206 participants for DSM-5 EXTs (antisocial personality disorder, conduct disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intermittent explosive disorder symptoms, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder). Of the final sample, 49% met diagnostic criteria for at least one of the EXTs. Electroencephalographic measures of the sensitivities of the behavioural activation system (BAS), the fight/flight/freeze system, and the behavioural inhibition system (BIS), as well as P300 were extracted from the gold bar-lemon and stop-signal tasks. As predicted, we found that low neural BIS sensitivity and low P300 were uniquely and negatively associated with our latent factor of externalising. Contrary to prediction, neural BAS/"dopamine" sensitivity was not associated with externalising. Our results provide empirical support for low BIS sensitivity and P300 as neural mechanisms common to disorders within the externalising spectrum; but, given the low N involved, future studies should seek to assess the replicability of our findings and, in particular, the differential involvement of the three RST systems.

A New Measure of the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory

Abstract. The reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) proposes that neurobiological systems mediate behavior and their functioning can be associated with personality. The functions and associations of RST systems were revised into fight–flight–freeze system (FFFS), behavioral approach/activation system (rBAS), and behavioral inhibition system (rBIS); however, there is limited study of the revised systems due to lack of validated measures. We investigated scale structure, sex invariance, and psychometric properties of the revised RST questionnaire (rRST-Q). The rRST-Q showed good fit as a 5-factor structure with free interfactor correlations and was sex invariant, and associations with personality and mental health measures were consistent with theory and literature. The rRST-Q is a reliable measure, and its use will help understand the link between brain, personality, and behavior.

The reinforcement sensitivity theory of personality in children: A new questionnaire

We report the development of a self-report questionnaire of the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) of personality for use with children. Focus groups were held with children to sample their experiences of situations modelled on components of three RST systems: fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS, related to fear), behavioural inhibition system (BIS, related to anxiety), and behavioural approach system (BAS, related to approach). The thematic responses formed the conceptual anchors to the development of test items that were examined using exploratory factor analysis in a sample of 288 9–13year olds. After eliminating items that did not load on their designated factor, or substantially cross-loaded over factors, the original 48 items were reduced to 21 items: 7 items for each of the BIS, FFFS and BAS factors. The separation of the BIS and FFFS items across two factors is consistent with the revised model of RST. We offer this new questionnaire as a RST measure of fundamental motivation and emotion traits in children.

Dimenzije ličnosti Reformulisane teorije osetljivosti na potkrepljenje i atribucioni stilovi kao prediktori strategija prevladavanja stresa

Cilj ovog istraživanja je ispitivanje povezanosti dimenzija reformulisanog Grejovog modela ličnosti, atribucionih stilova i strategija prevladavanja stresa. Istraživanje je sprovedeno na uzorku od 274 ispitanika, studenata Univerziteta u Novom Sadu. Korišćeni su instrumenti: Indikator strategija prevladavanja (CSI), Upitnik za procenu osetljivosti na potkrepljenje (UOP) i Upitnik atribucionog stila (ASQ). Tri stila prevladavanja stresa – usmerenost na problem, traženje socijalne podrške i izbegavanje problema, predstavljali su kriterijumske varijable u multiploj analizi kovarijanse kojom je ispitivan doprinos atribucionih stilova u pozitivnim i negativnim situacijama i njihova interakcija, uz kontrolu doprinosa dimenzija ličnosti iz Grejovog modela. Rezultati pokazuju da značajne prediktore izbegavanja kao strategije prevladavanja stresa predstavljaju sistemi bihejvioralne aktivacije i blokiranja. Takođe, izbegavanje je povezano sa atribuiranjem negativnih događaja unutrašnjim, stabilnim i globalnim faktorima kao i sa interakcijom atribucija pozitivnih i negativnih događaja koja se može okarakterisati kao pesimističan atribucioni stil. Prediktor traženja socijalne podrške kao strategije prevladavanja stresa predstavlja Grejova dimenzija blokiranje. Dalje, dobija se da je traženje socijalne podrške povezano sa sklonošću ka atribuiranju negativnih događaja spoljašnjim, nestabilnim i specifičnim faktorima. Strategija usmerenosti na problem nije determinisana ni dimenzijama Grejovog modela, ni atribucionim stilovima. Rezultati istraživanja su generalno očekivani u okviru reformulisane teorije osetljivosti na potkrepljenje i u skladu sa rezultatima iz oblasti naučene bespomoćnosti.

Looking for the fundamentals of human nature

Background: Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) is a theory which proposes that three basic neurophysiological systems explain and predict individual differences in personality, behaviour and experience of distress. Two of these systems are sensitive to aversive and appetitive stimuli respectively, and mediate avoidance and approach behaviour. The third is a conflict resolution module activated by conflict between and within the other two systems, and it mediates cautious approach and threat assessment.Aims: To present an overview of RST and to outline how RST theory and research can be of use to patients, clinicians and clinical researchers in the field of mental health.Method: Recent literature is reviewed to give an overview of the origins of the theory, followed by an account of how the three RST systems might explain different distress disorders, including anxiety and depression, phobic disorders and impulse control disorders. The RST distinction between anxiety and fear is described, and its relevance to the understanding of common distress disorders is outlined. Finally some of the clinical implications of the theory are considered alongside recent developments in cognitive behavioural therapy.Conclusion: It is concluded that RST is a theoretically and practically useful explanatory framework for patients, clinicians and researchers.

The New Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory: Implications for Personality Measurement

In this article, we review recent modifications to Jeffrey Gray's (1973, 1991) reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST), and attempt to draw implications for psychometric measurement of personality traits. First, we consider Gray and McNaughton's (2000) functional revisions to the biobehavioral systems of RST. Second, we evaluate recent clarifications relating to interdependent effects that these systems may have on behavior, in addition to or in place of separable effects (e.g., Corr, 2001; Pickering, 1997). Finally, we consider ambiguities regarding the exact trait dimension to which Gray's "reward system" corresponds. From this review, we suggest that future work is needed to distinguish psychometric measures of (a) fear from anxiety and (b) reward-reactivity from trait impulsivity. We also suggest, on the basis of interdependent system views of RST and associated exploration using formal models, that traits that are based upon RST are likely to have substantial intercorrelations. Finally, we advise that more substantive work is required to define relevant constructs and behaviors in RST before we can be confident in our psychometric measures of them.