Relations Between the Behavioral Approach System (BAS) and Self-Reported Life History Traits

Abstract

Abstract. The behavioral approach system (BAS) has been shown to be important in everyday life. However, its putative evolutionary origins have not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between BAS processes and life history strategies, or lifestyles, within life history theory. The BAS scales were assessed by the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ) and Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ-20), while lifestyles were measured by the Mini-K. Data from 457 participants (173 males) were analyzed by structural equation modelling, followed by set correlation to examine personality and Mini-K relationships. The structural model showed that RST-PQ Reward Interest, Goal-Drive Persistence and Reward Reactivity correlated with a slow lifestyle, while RST-PQ Impulsivity and (SPSRQ) Sensitivity to Reward (SR) did not correlate with the Mini-K. However, set correlation analysis revealed that SR correlated negatively with the Mini-K subscale Experience in romantic relationship and highlighted the importance of Insight, planning, and control in explaining the role of the BAS within slow lifestyle strategy. The findings are discussed in terms of possible evolutionary origins of the BAS.

How reinforcement sensitivity theory relates to self-determination theory

“…Finally, Reward Reactivity predicted intrinsic motivation. These data are in line with previous studies that have consistently related this scale to prosocial tendencies, such as commitment to a romantic partner and care for relatives (Krupić et al, 2018;.…”

“…RST-PQ Impulsivity showed a similar pattern of correlations, but was lower in magnitude as compared with SR. These findings are in line with past studies examining relationships between SR and evolutionarily-evolved motives and the fast lifestyle within life history theory (LHT) (Krupić et al, 2018). Thus, our findings suggest that high SR individuals are motivated by extrinsic rewards, which might explain why their behaviour is directed towards resources and is accompanied by a lack of concern for the social environment.…”

“…For instance, they are highly congruent with the motives reflecting competitive resource acquisition strategies (Bernard, 2013) and the fast lifestyle within life history theory (Figueredo, 2007). Recent studies (Krupić, Banai, & Corr, 2018; found these motives to be correlated with the Sensitivity to Reward (SR) scale from the Sensitivity to Punishment Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ; Torrubia, et al, 2001) and Impulsivity from the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ; Corr & Cooper, 2016). On the other hand, motives defined as intrinsic are congruent with Bernard's (2013) other group of motives, representing cooperation (care for the community, kin, relationships, environment exploration, living a meaningful life) and slow lifestyle (Figueredo, 2007).…”

Avanzando con el SAC

“…This is reasonable to assume, since the opioid system has strong impact on social emotions and behaviour (Machin & Dunbar, 2011;Panksepp, Herman, Vilberg, Bishop, & DeEskinazi, 1980;Vanderschuren, Niesink, & Van Ree, 1997), infant attachment behaviour (Kalin, Shelton, & Lynn, 1995;Moles, Kieffer, & D'Amato, 2004), and relationship with kin (D'amato & Pavone, 1993). These findings are well in line with the study relating self-report measures of liking and cooperative motives and quality relationship with others as an aspect of slow lifestyle (Krupić et al, 2017). In addition, Elvemo, Landrø, Borchgrevink, & Haberg (2015) recently found that the liking (measured by Reward responsiveness) is reduced in chronic pain patients, which they interpret as a manifestation of a low level of opioids.…”

“…One of the rare studies that used both testosterone and the BAS scales representing wanting revealed that both are related to a number of a fast lifestyle correlates: low social sensitivity (Yildirim & Derksen, 2012), mistrust, low social bonding and social aggression (Bos, Terburg, & van Honk, 2010;Terburg et al, 2009). On the other hand, wanting has been found to correlate with fast lifestyle (Krupić, Banai, & Corr, 2017) and negatively with cooperative motives (e.g. kin altruism, mutual exchange, etc.)…”