In plain language
Psychologists often draw a line between two kinds of mental process: the fast, automatic reactions that make up our temperament and personality, and the slower, effortful thinking known as executive functioning (planning, holding information in mind, resisting distraction). This study asked whether these two systems are related, and in particular whether biologically based personality traits can predict how well people perform on objective tests of executive control.
The researchers tested 336 working Australian adults, who each completed a battery of online executive-function tasks (a Stroop colour test, a trail-making task, and two time-estimation tasks) alongside personality questionnaires based on two versions of Gray's reinforcement sensitivity theory: the original model and its later revision. The revised model separates fear (a fight-flight-freeze system) from anxiety, which the original model had lumped together.
The revised theory clearly out-predicted the original, accounting for far more of the variation in executive functioning. The standout finding was that a tendency toward flight, an impulse to escape from threat quickly, was linked to poorer executive functioning. The authors interpret this through resource-allocation theory: when the brain is primed to flee, cognitive resources are pulled away from careful, effortful thinking and redirected toward fast action, temporarily short-circuiting executive control.
Key findings
- Across 336 adults, a higher tendency toward flight (fast, poorly planned escape from threat) negatively predicted executive functioning.
- The revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (r-RST) was a substantially better predictor of executive functioning than the original theory (o-RST), explaining more than ten times as much variance.
- Low flight and low freeze were positively correlated with faster, more effective performance on time-estimation tasks and the Stroop.
- Approach/reward traits (o-BAS fun and reward responsiveness) showed some positive links to Stroop performance, offering modest support for a reward-efficiency account.
- Neither the original nor revised behavioural inhibition (anxiety) scales predicted executive functioning, so fear rather than anxiety carried the effect.
- Confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposed structure of the revised (Jackson-5) measurement model, including a distinct fight-flight-freeze system.
How to cite
APA
Jackson, C. J., Loxton, N. J., Harnett, P., Ciarrochi, J., & Gullo, M. J. (2014). Original and revised reinforcement sensitivity theory in the prediction of executive functioning: A test of relationships between dual systems. Personality and Individual Differences, 56, 83–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.08.024
BibTeX
@article{jackson2014original,
title = {Original and revised reinforcement sensitivity theory in the prediction of executive functioning: A test of relationships between dual systems},
author = {Jackson, Chris J. and Loxton, Natalie J. and Harnett, Paul and Ciarrochi, Joseph and Gullo, Matthew J.},
journal = {Personality and Individual Differences},
volume = {56},
pages = {83--88},
year = {2014},
doi = {10.1016/j.paid.2013.08.024}
}
Related work
- All publications by Joseph Ciarrochi (searchable, with free PDFs)
- Process-Based Therapy & Idionomic Analysis
Author: Joseph Ciarrochi (ORCID 0000-0003-0471-8100). Free copy hosted with permission for scholarly use. Please cite the published version via the DOI above.