Mediating Effect of Trait Emotional Intelligence Between the Behavioral Activation System (BAS)/Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Positive and Negative Affect

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2019-03Department
PsicologíaSource
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY Volumen: 10 Número de artículo: 424Abstract
Gray (1970, 1981, 1987) proposed a behavioral motivation theory (Reinforcement
Sensitivity Theory, RST), which describes the Behavioral Activation/Approach System
(BAS) and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS). Some studies relate higher activation
of BAS to positive affect, whereas BIS activation is linked to negative affect, particularly
to high levels of anxiety and depression. Research data suggests that greater
Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) influences optimal development of well-being and
psychological adjustment, such as positive affective states. However, a recent study
relates themotivational BIS/BAS systems with TEI, showing that high TEI is characterized
by sensitivity to reward (BAS), and low TEI due to activation of the BIS system. The aim
of this study was to explore how TEI may mediate the relationship between BIS/BAS
sensitivity and positive and negative affect. Four-hundred and sixty-seven undergraduate
students (385 females) were evaluated. TEI was evaluated with the Trait Meta-Mood
Scale (TMMS). Affective states were measured with the Positive (PA) and Negative Affect
(NA) Schedule, and BIS/BAS sensitivity wasmeasured with The Sensitivity to Punishment
(SP) and Sensitivity to Reward (SR) Questionnaire. The results reveal the influence of the
two motivational systems on affective states, and show how this relationship is modified
by and better explained through TEI. That is, a stronger approach to appetitive stimuli
produces more positive affect, but a belief that one [does not] understand unpleasant
emotions or that one analyzes them, or thinks that one cannot regulate or control
emotions will reduce that positive state. Greater activation of inhibitory behaviors will
produce greater negative affect, and this will increase when one perceives that one
attends excessively to one’s feelings or does not understand them or feels incapable
of regulating them. Accordingly, although motivators could be a focus of interest for
intervention, this study shows that the efficiency and profitability of these practical
applications increases by adding TEI.
Subjects
emotional intelligence; TMMS-24; positive affect (PA); negative affect; reinforcement sensitivity theory; BIS/BASCollections
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