An analysis of reinforcement sensitivity theory and the five-factor model
Abstract
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) and the Five‐Factor Model (FFM) are two prominent personality accounts that have emerged from different backgrounds. Although the two accounts are applied to similar research topics, there is limited empirical work examining the correspondence between them. The current study explored the relationship between RST‐based personality traits and the FFM domains and facets in an undergraduate sample (n = 668). Regression analyses indicated that Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) was positively associated with Neuroticism and Agreeableness, and negatively associated with Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness. In contrast, Sensitivity to Reward (SR) was positively associated with Extraversion and Neuroticism, and negatively associated with Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. Exploratory analyses at the facet level specified the relationship between SP, SR, and each domain. A factor analysis was also conducted to explore the higher‐order factor structure of RST and the FFM domains. Three factors emerged, which we labelled SP, Stability‐Impulsivity, and Sensation Seeking. Taken together, these findings suggest that there is substantial overlap between these two accounts of personality. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Conscientiousness is positively associated with BIS and/or negatively associated with BAS.
“Studies have found that conscientiousness is positively associated with BIS (Keiser & Ross, 2011; Mitchell et al., 2007; Segarra et al., 2014) and/or negatively associated with BAS (Mitchell et al., 2007; Slobodskaya, 2007; Smits & Boeck, 2006).”
From Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Personality: Links to BIS/BAS Sensitivity and the Five Factor Model (2018) · cites this paper as Mitchell et al., 2007
Higher agreeableness is associated with higher BIS and lower BAS.
“There is also evidence that higher agreeableness is associated with higher BIS and lower BAS (Keiser & Ross, 2011; Mitchell et al., 2007; Segarra et al., 2014; Slobodskaya, 2007; Smits & Boeck, 2006).”
From Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Personality: Links to BIS/BAS Sensitivity and the Five Factor Model (2018) · cites this paper as Mitchell et al., 2007
Cites
An Introduction to the Five‐Factor Model and Its Applications
McCrae, R. R., & John, O. P. (1992) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1992.tb00970.x · Cited by 6,835 · see citing works
Smits, D. J. M., & Boeck, P. D. (2006) · European Journal of Personality · doi:10.1002/per.583 · Cited by 284 · see citing works
ADHD symptoms and personality: relationships with the five-factor model
Parker, J. D. A., Majeski, S. A., & Collin, V. T. (2004) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/s0191-8869(03)00166-1 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
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Becker, S. P., Fite, P. J., Garner, A. A., Greening, L., Stoppelbein, L., & Luebbe, A. M. (2013) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2013.07.001 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Maack, D. J., Tull, M. T., & Gratz, K. L. (2012) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.05.005 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Personality: Links to BIS/BAS Sensitivity and the Five Factor Model
Becker, S. P., Schmitt, A. P., Jarrett, M. A., Luebbe, A. M., Garner, A. A., Epstein, J. N., & Burns, G. L. (2018) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2018.06.001 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“, 2014) and/or negatively associated with BAS (Mitchell et al., 2007; Slobodskaya, 2007; Smits & Boeck, 2006).”
BackgroundResultInfluential
- Authors
- Mitchell, J. T., Kimbrel, N. A., Hundt, N. E., Cobb, A. R., Nelson‐Gray, R. O., & Lootens, C. M.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US)
- Venue
- European Journal of Personality
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2007-11
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 869-887
- ISSN
- 0890-2070 (ISSN-L)
- 1099-0984
- OpenAlex
- W2087411004
- Cited by
- 72
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 2.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Personality (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, Big Five personality traits, personality traits, punishment sensitivity, reward sensitivity, neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness to experience, personality facets, sensation seeking, higher-order factor structure, undergraduate students
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