Convergent, discriminant and concurrent validities of measures of the behavioural approach and behavioural inhibition systems: confirmatory factor analytic approach

Gray’s reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) suggests that personality reflects the operation of the behavioural inhibition system (BIS), and the behavioural approach system (BAS). Several measures have been proposed for the BAS and BIS. Based on ratings by 358 adults of the BAS measures of EPI impulsivity, Carver and White’s (CW) BAS and GRAPES reward expectancy, and the BIS related measures of STAI-anxiety, CW BIS and GRAPES punishment expectancy, this study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine their convergent and discriminant validities. CFA was also used to examine the relations of the BAS and BIS factors with latent extraversion and neuroticism. The results of this study indicated support for the convergent validities of all the BAS and BIS measures. With the exception of GRAPES reward expectancy, there was some support for their discriminant validities also. All BIS factors correlated negatively with extraversion and positively with neuroticism. Among the BAS measures, only EPI impulsivity correlated positively with both extraversion and neuroticism. These findings support their concurrent validities.