Regulatory control and impulsivity relate to resting frontal activity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Personality Science

Background:

• Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) identifies three core personality systems: behavioral approach system (BAS), fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS), and revised behavioral inhibition system (r-BIS).
• Previous research linked left frontal activity to BAS and impulsivity, and right frontal activity to the BIS scale.
• The BIS scale encompasses both FFFS and r-BIS, creating ambiguity regarding the specific system associated with right frontal activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between specific RST-related personality traits and frontal electroencephalography (EEG) asymmetry.
• To differentiate the neural correlates of behavioral inhibition (BIS-Anxiety) and withdrawal motivation (FFFS-Fear).
• To clarify the neural basis of impulsivity in relation to frontal activity.

Main Methods:

• Resting frontal cortical activity was measured using EEG in 182 participants.
• The alpha band was analyzed to assess frontal asymmetry.
• Participants' personality traits were assessed using scales for BAS, FFFS-Fear, BIS-Anxiety, and the UPPS-P impulsivity scale.

Main Results:

• Higher BIS-Anxiety scores correlated with greater relative right frontal activity.
• Higher impulsivity scores correlated with less relative right frontal activity.
• No significant associations were found between BAS, FFFS-Fear, and frontal asymmetric activity.

Conclusions:

• Right frontal activity is more closely associated with regulatory control processes (r-BIS and impulsivity) than with withdrawal motivation (FFFS).
• These findings refine our understanding of the neural underpinnings of personality systems.
• Future research should explore the distinct neural mechanisms of approach, withdrawal, and inhibition.