Grays Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) Depicts Individual Difference Within The

Grays Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) depicts individual difference within the brain-behavioural systems which respond to reward an punishment stimuli. This theory proposes that these difference within the brain is the fundamental attributes of personality dimensions such as anxiety and impulsivity and its relevance to eating disorders. This article aims to review RST-based research on personality and its correlation to bulimia. First, RST and its revisions are described and the link between RST systems and personality dimensions is discussed. Second, a brief overview of bulimia and its link with personality types. Third, studies investigating the correlation between personality dimensions, such as the behavioural inhibition system (BIS) and the behavioural activation system (BAS) and its effect on anorexia.

Grays’s[BC1] (1970) seminal theory or personality: reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) was motivated by Eysenck’s study of biology of personality traits. Grays RST is one of the leading biological based models of personality which can be used to assess individual differences . The RST proposed that individual trait differences is due to specific areas within the neural system, which encompasses two major motivational systems reward and punishment. The behavioural Approach system (BAS) involved with the arousal of appetitive stimuli, is associated with motivation to rewards. BAS is responsive to conditioned and unconditioned reward cues sensitive to appetitive stimuli (Carver,1994). Individuals with higher BAS activation is generally associated with an impulsive trait ,higher extraversion, low neuroticism a (CorrMcNughton, 2008; Gray 1991, Gray,1982). Behaviour inhibition system (BIS) controls anxiety- based avoidance and is responsible for organising behavioural responses to stimuli associated with punishment, novelty and non-rewarding stimuli (Gray,1993), and often referred to as the punishment system.In general it has been found that individuals with active BAS tend to show low extraversion, high neurotocism and trait anxiety. In order to assess the RST there are two self-reported measures. The behavioural inhibition scale/ behavioural activation scale(BIS/BAS) and the sensitivity to punishment/ sensitivity to reward questionnaire (SPSRQ) (Carver & White,1994;Matton, Goossens, Braet, & Vervaet, 2013). Under the framework of the RST individuals with altered sensitivities within these systems have an increases risk of psychological illness such as eating disorders (ED).

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is an extremely severe and often persistent mental illness with on of the highest fatal rates among psychiatric disorders ( Sullivan,1995). Anorexia nervosa ,AN, can be defined as a penetrating fear of gaining weight and often have a distorted perception of their body image. Individuals with AN generally have high food restrictions with strong weight loss goals. It is often associated with co-morbid anxiety disorders that often occur before the eating disorder (ED) (Guarda,2008) . Empirical research suggests that individuals with AN are characterised as perfectionists and controlling and show temperamental traits such as increased harm avoidance (HA), typicalldemonstrated with fearful , shy and worrying behaviour. As well as avoiding novelty seeking (NS) stimuli (Guarda,2008; Cassin &Von Ranson,2005; Klump et al.,2000).

The idea that certain personality traits may provide significant risks to may eating disorders has been examined intensively over the last decade, with particular attention to AN. Although there is little empirical evidence to suggest that there is any certain correlation, however it is postulated that personality traits such as neuroticism and perfectionism facilitate the role for some eating disorders and is commonly seen in anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

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Wonderlich,2004 ISSN:

0276-3478

[BC1]Quick mention of Eynesks personality model and which BIS and BAS relate to on personality scales