title: The relation of cortical activity and BIS/BAS on the trait level.
abstract: The behavioral activation system (BAS) and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) have been proposed to be related to anterior asymmetry in the BIS/BAS model of anterior asymmetry. As an alternative, it may be suggested that behavioral activation comprises approach and withdrawal motivation and that the BAS is related to bilateral frontal trait activity. The aim of the present study was an empirical investigation on the relation between cortical trait activity, BIS and BAS. Data of 59 subjects on four occasions were analyzed. On each occasion, cortical activity was evaluated with resting EEG, and the BIS and BAS strength was assessed with questionnaires. Subjects with greater bilateral frontal cortical activity showed higher BAS scores. The latter result may suggest that behavioral activation comprises approach and withdrawal motivation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Am Steiger 3, Haus 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany. hewig@biopsy.uni-jena.de
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hewig
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hagemann
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Ewald
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Naumann
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartussek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D036262:Empirical Research; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012919:Social Behavior