Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory as a framework for research on personality–psychopathology associations

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Abstract

Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) presupposes individual differences in the sensitivity of basic brain systems that respond to punishing and reinforcing stimuli. These differences are thought to underlie the personality dimensions of anxiety and impulsivity, and to have relevance for psychopathology. The present article aims at reviewing RST-based research on personality–psychopathology associations. First, RST and its revisions are described and the link between RST systems and personality dimensions is discussed. Second, studies investigating associations between RST systems and specific types of psychopathology are summarized. Although the available research yields a rather consistent picture with respect to constellations of BIS/BAS sensitivity that are associated with specific types of psychopathology, it also provides a clear indication that much work remains to be done. The discussion section highlights several topics that deserve future research attention.

Section snippets

Development of Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory

Gray, 1970, Gray, 1982 Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) is an application of animal learning research to individual differences in human personality. It encompasses two primary motivational systems: the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and the behavioral activation system (BAS). Each system responds to a separate subset of reinforcing events with specific types of behavior and is supposed to be mediated by a separate set of interacting brain structures. The Behavioral Inhibition System

Personality dimensions underlying RST systems

RST is composed of two main components: (a) a state description of neural systems and associated, relatively short-term, emotions and behaviors; and (b) a trait description of longer-term dispositions to such emotions and behaviors (Corr & McNaughton, 2008). As to the former component, Gray (1982) assumed that BIS and BAS facilitate the expression of aversive and appetitive motivation; as to the latter, he was convinced that individual differences in BIS and BAS sensitivity underlie the

RST and psychopathology

RST assumes that individuals at the far poles of the BIS and BAS dimensions are at increased risk for developing psychopathology (Pickering & Gray, 1999) and empirical evidence supports the association between extreme BIS/BAS scores and adjustment problems (Knyazev et al., 2008, Slobodskaya, 2007). Predictions as to the link between BIS/BAS sensitivity and vulnerability to psychopathology differ according to which version of RST (original versus revised) is taken as frame of reference and

Discussion and future perspectives

The studies summarized in this review have examined the associations between sensitivity of RST systems and a broad range of psychiatric disorders. Although the evidence is not entirely consistent, a couple of conclusions can be drawn. First, extreme (either high or low) levels of BIS and BAS sensitivity tend to cohere with psychopathological symptoms. Second, specific constellations of BIS and BAS sensitivity are associated with specific types of psychopathology. Although in some cases the

Conclusion

Although the summary of studies in this review yields a rather consistent picture with respect to which constellations of BIS/BAS sensitivity are associated with specific types of psychopathology, it also provides a clear indication that much work remains to be done. In the discussion section, a number of topics that deserves future research attention have been highlighted. Given that the literature in this domain is rapidly expanding, it can be hoped that several of these topics will be

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    This work was supported by Grant G.0357.08 from the Fund of Scientific Research-Flanders to Patricia Bijttebier and Laurence Claes.

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