TY - JOUR
T1 - Bridging Classical and Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Research
T2 - A Longitudinal Analysis of a Large Population Study
AU - Espinoza Oyarce, Daniela A.
AU - Burns, Richard
AU - Butterworth, Peter
AU - Cherbuin, Nicolas
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2021 Espinoza Oyarce, Burns, Butterworth and Cherbuin.
PY - 2021/12/20
Y1 - 2021/12/20
N2 - The reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) proposes that neurobiological systems mediate protective and appetitive behaviours and the functioning of these systems is associated to personality traits. In this manner, the RST is a link between neuroscience, behaviour, and personality. The theory evolved to the present revised version describing three systems: fight-flight-freezing, behavioural approach/activation (BAS), and behavioural inhibition (BIS). However, the most widely available measure of the theory, the BIS/BAS scales, only investigates two systems. Using a large longitudinal community survey, we found that the BIS/BAS scales can be re-structured to investigate the three systems of the theory with a BIS scale, three BAS scales, and a separate fight-flight-freezing system (FFFS) scale. The re-structured scales were age, sex, and longitudinally invariant, and associations with personality and mental health measures followed theoretical expectations and previously published associations. The proposed framework can be used to investigate behavioural choices influencing physical and mental health and bridge historical with contemporary research.
AB - The reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) proposes that neurobiological systems mediate protective and appetitive behaviours and the functioning of these systems is associated to personality traits. In this manner, the RST is a link between neuroscience, behaviour, and personality. The theory evolved to the present revised version describing three systems: fight-flight-freezing, behavioural approach/activation (BAS), and behavioural inhibition (BIS). However, the most widely available measure of the theory, the BIS/BAS scales, only investigates two systems. Using a large longitudinal community survey, we found that the BIS/BAS scales can be re-structured to investigate the three systems of the theory with a BIS scale, three BAS scales, and a separate fight-flight-freezing system (FFFS) scale. The re-structured scales were age, sex, and longitudinally invariant, and associations with personality and mental health measures followed theoretical expectations and previously published associations. The proposed framework can be used to investigate behavioural choices influencing physical and mental health and bridge historical with contemporary research.
KW - factor analysis
KW - longitudinal
KW - measurement invariance
KW - neuropsychology
KW - reinforcement sensitivity theory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85122241673&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.737117
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.737117
M3 - Article
SN - 1664-1078
VL - 12
JO - Frontiers in Psychology
JF - Frontiers in Psychology
M1 - 737117
ER -