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Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory: Assumptions, Procedures, and Measures

Abstract

The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) is a biological model of personality derived from experimental studies with humans and nonhumans. In RST, two personality dimensions influence reactivity to the environment: sensitivity to reward (SR) and sensitivity to punishment (SP). The central assumption of the theory is that there is a relationship between personality (SR and SP) and conditioning learning. This article aims to introduce Brazilian researchers to the history, central hypotheses, and experimental procedures of RST and discuss the measures used to test the theoretical assumptions. RST is a promising model for the study of personality within experimental psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience.

Keywords:
reinforcement sensitivity theory; measures; personality; conditioning

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