Introduction: This study examined the relationship between goal attainment in the context of valenced distractors, the behavioural approach system (BAS), the behavioural inhibition system (BIS),...Show moreIntroduction: This study examined the relationship between goal attainment in the context of valenced distractors, the behavioural approach system (BAS), the behavioural inhibition system (BIS), and the moderating role of gender. It was hypothesized that 1) with a higher BAS-Reward score, participants will deviate more towards a reward distractor, 2) with a higher BAS-Reward score, participants will have larger reaction times with a reward distractor, 3) with a higher BIS-score, participants will deviate more away from a punishment distractor, 4) with a higher BIS-score, participants will have a larger reaction time with a punishment distractor and 5) gender moderated the four previous hypotheses. Methods: In this experimental, within subject study design, participants (N=32) completed a conditioning task and a hand movement task, and filled out a self-report questionnaire that measures BIS/BAS tendencies. The obtained participant sample was balanced in terms of gender and had an age range of 18 to 35 years old. Results: The results of this study did not reveal any significant effects for BIS and BAS-Reward on goal attainment, measured by maximum absolute distance and reaction time. As no significant results were obtained, it was not possible to perform a moderation analysis with gender as the moderator. Conclusion: Within this research it did not become apparent if being approach- or avoidance- oriented had an influence on goal attainment in the context of valenced distractors. Nor was it possible to see if gender moderated these effects. Reasons as to why no effects were visible had to do with e.g. the low sample size and the possible decreasing conditioning effect during the hand movement task. Therefore, further research should look into these two limitations.Show less
Introduction. Goal attainment in the context of valenced distractors may be influenced by motivation systems and personality traits. There are two motivation systems: the behavioral approach system...Show moreIntroduction. Goal attainment in the context of valenced distractors may be influenced by motivation systems and personality traits. There are two motivation systems: the behavioral approach system (BAS) and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS). BAS seems to react to rewarding stimuli and seems to be related to Extraversion. BIS is thought to be responsible for avoiding punishment and seems to be related to Neuroticism. In this study, I hypothesized that BIS/BAS sensitivity has an effect on goal attainment. Furthermore, this study looked at the influence of personality traits. It was hypothesized that personality influences BIS/BAS sensitivity and that this in turn had an effect on goal attainment. Methods. Goal attainment was measured using a hand-movement task that featured valenced distractors. During this task, participants (N=32) were asked to move an avatar towards a black target. Presented next to this target was a distractor that was associated with either reward, punishment, or was a neutral distractor. Deviation towards or away from the distractor was hypothesized to be associated with one’s sensitivity to either BIS or BAS. Results. People with a higher BIS sensitivity were more likely to move away from punishment stimuli. BAS, however, seemed to have no effect on goal attainment. Furthermore, people with neurotic traits seem to have more BIS tendencies. BIS, however, seemed to have no further mediating effect on the relationship between Neuroticism and goal attainment. Conclusion. In sum, this study provides a unique method of measuring goal attainment in the context of valenced distractors. Through this method (i.e. the examining of hand-movement trajectories) underlying factors that may influence goal attainment (e.g. motivation, personality, etc.) may become apparent.Show less
