Resting Frontal Asymmetry and Reward Sensitivity Theory Motivational Traits

Title
Resting Frontal Asymmetry and Reward Sensitivity Theory Motivational Traits
Publication Date
2018
Author(s)
De Pascalis, Vilfredo
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4594-8877
Email: vdepasca@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:vdepasca
Sommer, Kathrin
Scacchia, Paolo
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1038/s41598-018-31404-7
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/62534
Abstract

The revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (rRST) of personality has conceptualized three main systems: the behavioural approach system (BAS), behavioural inhibition system (BIS), and fight fight-freeze system (FFFS). Research links greater relative left-frontal activity with BAS-related tendencies and impulsivity and greater relative right-frontal activity with "withdrawal" motivation that included both BIS and FFFS. Although rRST has addressed the separation of FFFS and BIS, much of personality neuroscience research does not indicate which system is related to right frontal activity. We administered the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ) to measure the BAS and its facets (goal-drive persistence, reward interest, reward reactivity, and impulsivity), BIS, and the withdrawal FFFS. We examined the association of RST-PQ traits with resting electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha-asymmetry in female participants (N=162) by considering the influence of experimenter's gender. In the total group, that included two subgroups with experimenters of different gender, BAS-impulsivity was related to greater left- than right-frontal activity, and FFFS, but not BIS, was related to greater relative right-frontocentral activity. These associations remained significant for the subgroup with a young same-sex experimenter, but not with opposite-sex experimenter.

Link
Citation
Scientific Reports, v.8, p. 1-9
ISSN
2045-2322
Start page
1
End page
9
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International

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