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Reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) and body change behaviour in males
According to the unrevised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory two motivational systems shape personality: a behavioural approach system (BAS) that determines sensitivity to rewards, and a behavioural inhibition system (BIS) that determines sensitivity to punishments. The role of reinforcement sensitivity in body change behaviour in males was explored with a non-clinical sample of 120 men aged 18–40 years. Self-reported symptoms of unhealthy weight loss (weight preoccupation, fasting, bingeing/purging) and body development (muscle/size preoccupation, obligatory exercise, use of chemical supplements) were regressed on measures of BAS and BIS sensitivity. Significant relationships were observed between BAS sensitivity and body development, and between BIS sensitivity and weight loss. These relationships were mediated by internalization of the athletic/muscular ideal, body comparisons, the importance of achieving one’s ideal or ‘best possible’ body (in the case of BAS but not BIS), and body dissatisfaction (in the case of BIS but not BAS). These results support the proposition that body development in males is influenced by sensitivity to rewards associated with achieving a certain body shape, and that weight loss is influenced by sensitivity to punishments associated with possessing an unsatisfactory body shape.
History
Journal
Personality and individual differencesVolume
40Issue
4Pagination
841 - 852Publisher
PergamonLocation
Oxford, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0191-8869eISSN
1873-3549Language
engNotes
Available online 3 November 2005.Publication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2005, Elsevier LtdUsage metrics
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