A Short Measure of the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory – RSQ17

ABSTRACT

The need for a research and practical tool, such as a short, reliable, and valid personality assessment test, suggests researchers to create shortened versions of original instruments. Reinforcement sensitivity questionnaire (RSQ) was created in line with some basic premises of revised Reinforcement sensitivity theory, which proposes three motivational and emotional systems: Behavioral inhibition system (BIS), responsible for scanning environment for potential threats, Behavioral activation system (BAS), responsible for aproaching behavior, and the Fight/Flight/Freeze system (FFFS), responsible for behavior in the present threat. RSQ comprises five scales: BIS, BAS, Fight, Flight, and Freeze. The aim of this study was to develop a short version of RSQ, which would be beneficial to both research and practical purposes. Item response theory analyses were used for item selection. The study comprised two samples of participants, whereby Sample 1 (N = 837, 34.6% male, aged 18 – 82, M = 31.63, SD = 13.54) served as the derivation sample, while Sample 2 (818 participants, 43.6% male, 18−75 years, M = 29.65, SD = 12.52) served as validation sample. Factorial validity of the short RSQ was examined on both Sample 1 and Sample 2. Convergent and divergent validity of the short RSQ was examined using RST-PQ, Jackson-5, BIS/BAS scales, and Big Five Inventory. The results point to satisfactory internal consistency, factorial validity, and construct validity of the short RSQ, suggesting that it is an adequate measure for research settings or other contexts which require the use of short personality questionnaires.

KEYWORDS:

• Item response theory
• revised reinforcement sensitivity theory
• reliability
• short scales
• validity

Author Notes

Petar Čolović, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad. He works in the field of personality psychology.

Snežana Smederevac, PhD, is a full professor at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, and a vice rector for science at the University of Novi Sad. She works in the field of personality psychology, and is particularly interested in Reinforcement sensitivity theory, behavioral genetics and psycho-lexical studies. She is a founder of the Center for Behavioral Genetics at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad.

Milan Oljača, MA, is a teaching assistant at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad. He works in the fields of personality psychology and research methods.

Željka Nikolašević, PhD, is a teaching assistant at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad. She is particularly interested in the fields of behavioral genetics, biological psychology and personality psychology in general.

Dušanka Mitrović, PhD, is a full professor at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad. She works in the field of personality psychology, and is particularly interested in personality assessment, psycholexical studies and behavioral genetics.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development (project number 179006).