Determine your sensitivity to reward and punishment

Jeffrey Gray’s reinforcement sensitivity theory proposes two basic motivational systems. The behavioural inhibition system (BIS) makes us sensitive to punishment and threat, and produces anxiety; the behavioural activation system (BAS) makes us sensitive to reward, and drives us toward our goals.

This IPIP version of Carver and White’s BIS/BAS scales measures BIS anxiety and three sides of the BAS: Drive, Fun-Seeking, and Reward Responsiveness. Put simply, it shows how strongly you are moved by the prospect of reward, and by the risk of things going wrong.

On the following pages, you can determine your sensitivity to reward and punishment by responding to 36 statements. This will take about 5–5 minutes, and you can pause and resume at any time.

The results will be provided immediately after you have responded to all statements on the final page. Please note that the results you receive can only be reliable to the extent that you respond seriously and honestly.

This questionnaire is part of the validation study for the Quantitative Socionics Inventory. In case of any question, please write an e-mail (contact@quantitativesocionics.org) to the research team.