Article
Details
Citation
Smillie LD, Jackson CJ & Dalgleish L (2006) Conceptual distinctions among Carver and White’s (1994) BAS scales: A reward-reactivity versus trait impulsivity perspective. Personality and Individual Differences, 40 (5), pp. 1039-1050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2005.10.012
Abstract
The ‘BIS/BAS scales’ (Carver & White, 1994) is the most widely cited inventory for assessing Gray’s (1982,1991) Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of personality. A peculiarity of this instrument is its three-factor representation of Gray’s Behavioural Activation System (BAS), which mediates reactions to reward. While the BAS was initially proposed as the causal basis of Impulsivity, recent arguments suggest that Impulsivity is related to but distinct from reward-reactivity. In this paper, two studies examined Carver and White’s BAS scales in terms of factor structure, and convergent/divergent validity when predicting proxies of Impulsivity and reward-reactivity. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed structural distinctions between the three BAS scales, and multivariate regression suggested that two of the scales (Drive and Reward-Responsiveness) reflect key concepts of the BAS, while the third (Fun-Seeking) has a broader focus, being equally related to reward-reactivity and Impulsivity.
Keywords
Gray; RST; BAS; Impulsivity; BIS/BAS scales; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Reinforcement (Psychology); Personality development
Journal
Personality and Individual Differences: Volume 40, Issue 5
Status | Published |
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Publication date | 30/04/2006 |
URL | http://hdl.handle.net/1893/1824 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
ISSN | 0191-8869 |