The behavioural activation system: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The influence of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) on personality psychology has been far greater than Jeffrey Gray would ever have conceived. This is especially the case for the Behavioural Activation System (or Behavioural Approach System) (BAS), which was introduced to his model on a somewhat arbitrary basis, only to be embraced by others as a major organizing framework for trait explanation. In the last few years, RST has been substantially revised in a number of aspects (as discussed in other chapters of this book), particularly centring on the role of the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS). This might give the impression that the changes in t..