Behavioral Activation and Behavioral Inhibition Predict Perfectionism

Abstract

This investigation assessed of the ability of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST), comprising the Behavioral Activation System (BAS), and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) to predict perfectionism. A total of 508 community participants were acquired using MTurk and completed measures of personal standards and self-evaluative perfectionism, as well as BIS and BAS. Regression analyses revealed that BAS sensitivity successfully predicted personal standards perfectionism (and to a lesser extent self-evaluative perfectionism), while BIS sensitivity successfully predicted self-evaluative perfectionism (and to a lesser extent personal standards perfectionism). BAS and BIS were robust predictors in their respective regression models, suggesting that these important perfectionism factors are successfully and jointly predicted by the BAS/BIS pre-dispositional motivation constructs.