[Negative valence systems in the system of research domain criteria : Empirical results and new developments]

The research domain criteria (RDoC) domain of negative valence systems can be used to subsume long established and recently developed research approaches, which build upon theoretical knowledge and clinical practice of various psychiatric disorders.

This article outlines how the five constructs within the RDoC domain of negative valence systems can contribute to integrating empirical studies into a coherent and differentiated biopsychosocial model.

This is a qualitative review article that summarizes empirical results and discusses new developments on the basis of exemplary studies and selected reviews.

The RDoC domain of negative valence systems differentiates in three constructs the time horizon, in which persons need to adequately react to (1) acute, (2) potential, and (3) sustained threats elicited by negative stimuli or situations. These three constructs can be outlined relatively well with specific experimental paradigms and neuronal circuits. Two further constructs focus on the negative consequences of (4) losses and (5) frustrative non-rewards. The former seems to be currently relatively diffusely defined whereas the latter is clearly circumscribed by its relation to specific forms of aggression. Behavioral, physiological, and neuronal reactions to acute and potential threats can be well compared between humans and animals and can be specified with the help of mathematical models. These models can contribute to a better understanding of how healthy and diseased persons process negative stimuli or situations.