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Using Bis And Bas Sensitivity To Predict Psychopathology, Emotion Regulation And Well-Being, Walker Scott Pedersen

Theses and Dissertations

Gray's (1982) Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory proposes that two major systems in the brain - the behavioral inhibition system and the behavioral activation system - contribute to affective states, behavior and personality. Carver and White's (1994) BIS/BAS scales attempt to measure three aspects of BAS sensitivity: Reward Responsiveness, Fun Seeking and Drive. While widely used, the validity of these scales is unclear. The current study employs structural equation modeling to test the BIS/BAS scales' ability to predict psychopathology, use of emotion regulation strategies and psychological well-being. As BAS sensitivity is thought to have a broad influence on these variables, the BAS …