How reinforcement sensitivity theory relates to self-determination theory

•Scales of RST and goal-orientation within SDT are assessed.•The BIS and FFS did not predicted goal importance.•Various BAS scales differentially predicted intrinsic and extrinsic goal importance.•Data support discriminative validity of the BAS subscales. Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) and S...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Personality and individual differences 2020-03, Vol.155, p.109705, Article 109705
Main Authors: Krupić, Dino, Corr, Philip J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activation
Aspiration
Behavior
Inhibition
Intrinsic and extrinsic goals
Motivation
Personality
Questionnaires
Reinforcement
Reinforcement sensitivity theory
Self determination
Self-determination theory
Theory
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Summary:•Scales of RST and goal-orientation within SDT are assessed.•The BIS and FFS did not predicted goal importance.•Various BAS scales differentially predicted intrinsic and extrinsic goal importance.•Data support discriminative validity of the BAS subscales. Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) are two well-known theoretical frameworks in the fields of personality and motivation. Despite their rich histories, they have not yet been studied together. Here we examine their empirical relationships with special emphasis on the behavioural approach system (BAS) of RST. Based on a community sample of 314 participants, our study examined relationships between: (1) RST-related personality factors of the RST-PQ and SPSRQ-20 questionnaires; and (2) the Aspiration Index for goal-orientation within SDT. Regression analyses revealed that BAS factors explained intrinsic and extrinsic goals, whereas the defensive behavioural inhibition system (BIS) and the fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS) did not. Furthermore, BAS scales differentially predicted intrinsic and extrinsic classes of goals, which suggests their unique effects should be considered when attempting to provide a theoretical account of human motivation within the RST framework.
ISSN:0191-8869
1873-3549
DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2019.109705