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Fractionating negative and positive affectivity in handedness: Insights from the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of personality

Beaton, A. A., Mutinelli, S. & Corr, P. J. (2016). Fractionating negative and positive affectivity in handedness: Insights from the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of personality. Laterality, 22(4), pp. 419-444. doi: 10.1080/1357650x.2016.1213274

Abstract

The Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire (AHPQ), as modified by Briggs and Nebes [(1975). Patterns of hand preference in a student population. Cortex, 11(3), 230-238. doi: 10.1016/s0010-9452(75)80005-0 ], was administered to a sample of 177 participants alongside the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire [RST-PQ; Corr, P. J., & Cooper, A. (2016). The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ): Development and validation. Psychological Assessment. doi: 10.1037/pas000 ], which measures two factors of defensive negative emotion, motivation and affectivity-the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS)-and one positive-approach dimension related to reward sensitivity, persistence and reactivity-the Behavioural Approach System. We sought to clarify the nature of negative, and positive, affectivity in relation to handedness. ANOVAs and multiple regression analyses converged on the following conclusions: left-handers were higher on the BIS, not the FFFS, than right-handers; in right-handers only, strength of hand preference was positively correlated with the FFFS, not the BIS. The original assessment method proposed by Annett was also used to assess handedness, but associations with RST-PQ factors were not found. These findings help us to clarify existing issues in the literature and raise new ones for future research.

Publication Type: Article
Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Laterality on 28 Jul 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/1357650X.2016.1213274
Publisher Keywords: Handedness, anxiety, Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (BIS/BAS), RST-PQ
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments: School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology
SWORD Depositor:
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