The conceptualization of the Behavior Approach System: An analysis based on resource acquisition strategies

Abstract

The study assessed the possibility of using the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory to predict resource acquisition strategies. It was hypothesized that the Behavior Activation System would differentiate between individuals that favored competitive and those that favored cooperative strategies. A total of 405 undergraduate students from Mexico City answered four questionnaires, namely (1) the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Personality Questionnaire, (2) the Sensitivity to Punishment, Sensitivity to Reinforcement Questionnaire, (3) the Assessment of Individual Motives Questionnaire, and (4) the Self-Report Altruism Scale. Results showed that five out of seven competitive motives were predicted by a combination of fight-flight-freeze scores and impulsivity ones. Some cooperative motives may be predicted by specific combinations of behavior inhibition, reward responsiveness, reward intensiveness, and FFFS. Overall, results showed that, only using the BAS to predict individual motives, as previous research has done, may lead to misleading or incomplete conclusions.

Keywords

• reinforcement sensitivity theory
• resource acquisition strategies
• personality
• evolution
• college students