title: Neurocognitive components of the behavioral inhibition and activation systems: implications for theories of self-regulation.
abstract: We examined the neurocognitive correlates of the Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation Systems (BIS/BAS) in an effort to clarify ambiguities concerning interpretations of BIS as reflecting inhibition versus avoidance. We hypothesized that self-reported BIS should relate to neural mechanisms associated with conflict monitoring, whereas self-reported BAS should be associated with neural correlates of approach motivation. Consistent with these predictions, higher self-reported BIS was uniquely related to the N2 event-related potential on No-Go trials of a Go/No-Go task, linking BIS with conflict monitoring and sensitivity to No-Go cues. Higher BAS was uniquely related to greater left-sided baseline frontal cortical asymmetry associated with approach orientation. Implications for theories of self-regulation involving conflict monitoring, cognitive control, and approach/avoidance motivation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA. David.amodio@nyu.edu
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Amodio
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Master
authors.forename: Cindy M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Shelley E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology