Effect of Behavioral Activation System and Promotional Regulatory Focus

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Effect of behavioral activation system
and promotional regulatory focus
Word Count: 1689
Abstract
Behavioral orientation in psychology was found to be connected to two
factors of promotion and pain. Earlier studies established significant correlation
between factors of self-regulation to those of motivational approaches. The inter
correlation between the behavioral activation system and promotional self-
regulation focus was studied with 145 participants. The assumed hypothesis of un-
correlation between independent variables of behavioral activation scores and
dependent variable of self-regulation focus score was established to be true in the
study. The outcome of the study was inconclusive in nature due to limitation of the
sample.

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1.0 Introduction
A widely researched accepted theory in psychology of biological models is the bio-
psychological theory of personality proposed by Jeffrey Alan Gray (Deci 2012). Behavioral
activities are said to be controlled by two variables as behavioral activation system (BAS)
and the behavioral inhibition system (BIS). The BAS was seen to be connected to rewards as
well as motivational approaches whereas the BIS was found to be sensitive to punishment
hence avoidance of motivational factors (Carver 2000).When psychological test scales were
designed for correlating attributes of hypothesized systems, BIS scale was seen to have
positive correlation with neuroticism whereas it was found to be negatively correlated to BAS
scale.
The regulatory focus theory proposed by Higgins comprise of two orientations which
are independent and self-regulatory in nature as promotion and prevention(Higgins 1997).
Prevention orientation is focused on responsibility, safety and security needs. Promotion is
focused on hope, advancement needs and accomplishments. Regulatory focus can differ
between individuals and across situations. Every regulatory orientation has its own preferred
strategy. The scope of this study analyses relation between motivational orientation and
regulatory focus. In psychology it has been explored that people tend to approach pleasure
and avoid pain has an underlying motivational principle, referred to as the hedonic principle
(Rothermund 2008). This model has tremendous applications as it has been applied from
psychology across biology to sociology. The variable has limitations as merely being an
explanatory variable. This hedonic principle can be applied across any areas of motivation in
two different ways as prevention focus and promotion focus. In order to regulate ways of
measuring pain and pleasure, regulatory focus is utilized (Beckes 2011). It is said to have
impact on feelings, actions and thoughts of people, which are characterized as independent
according to hedonic principle. Self-regulatory system had been found to converge and have
positive affect in relation to goal pursuit. Second self-regulatory system was found to be
connected to avoidance or withdrawal with having negative affect to threats. These themes
were often found to have broader connection to personality (Vansteenkiste 2013).
In order to attain findings related to the study, following research questions were required
to be answered.

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Research questions:
1) Is there a correlation between behavioral activation system and promotional self-
regulation focus?
2) Can behavioral activation system scores explain variance and predict changes in
promotional self-regulation focus?
For the scope of this study, it was hypothesized that behavioral activation system and
promotional self-regulation focus were uncorrelated. It can be understood from this that there
are three independent variables as Behavioral Activation System drive, Behavioral Activation
System reward responsiveness and Behavioral Activation System fun-seeking (Frijda 2010).
There is a single dependent variable for this study as promotional focus score.
2.0 Method
2.1 Materials and Stimuli
In order to conduct this study, there had to be data collected in order to arrive at
findings related to the study. The study was conducted in the campus of University of
Roehampton, post obtaining ethical permission from the University Ethics Committee. The
scholar ensured that all ethical procedure was followed for the study.
There have been two sub-scales of two questionnaires that have been used for this study as;
 Behavioral Approach System (BAS) subscale from the BIS/BAS
scale (Carver & White, 1994).
 Promotion sub-scale from the Regulatory Focus Questionnaire
(RFQ; Higgins et al., 2001).
These questionnaires were part of the larger study and had to be completed by participants.
They were given ample time, pencil and eraser to complete the questionnaire data sets
given across to them.
2.2 Design
A research design for a particular study encompasses procedures and methods that are
undertaken for collection of and analysis measure of variables identified in research problem.
There are three independent variables as Behavioral Activation System drive (BAS_DR),
Behavioral Activation System reward responsiveness (BAS RR) and Behavioral Activation

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System fun-seeking (BAS_FS). There is a single dependent variable for this study as
promotional focus score. Post collection of data from 145 participants for the study and then
correlation and simple linear regression has been conducted on it. The outcome variable for
this study is promotional self-regulation focus score (RTF). Post collection of various BAS
category score RTF was measured.
2.3Participants
Data was collected from first year undergraduate psychology students at the
University of Roehampton. One fine morning University students was approach with the
aims and goals related to the study. A comprehensive workshop was conducted with the
University students. This workshop highlighted the way bouts of participating and
progressing in this research. Participants’ mean age for the study was 20.94 years with
skewness of 3.54 and kurtosis of 12.82. Males in the study were 22 and female participants
were 123. Research procedure and ways to calculate scores related to BIS and BAS was
taught to them. Once all procedures had been told to them many withdrew and indicated
their disinterest to participate in the study. Amongst remaining participants only 145
students finally participated in the research procedure. The participants for the study were
handed over the questionnaire for the research. Participants were not naïve regarding the
aims of the research as they were students of psychology departments. Participants were
given certificates for participating in the study procedure.
3.0 Procedure
Participants were made to follow step by step procedure for undertaking part in the
study. The participants were asked to attend a workshop to get details regarding research
aims. They were briefed about the techniques to calculate scores. Participant were given
participation form and asked to put their signature to indicate consent for taking part in the
study. The questionnaire was distributed to the participants and they were asked to answer the
multiple choice questions by using pencil. After completion of the answering session scores
related to BAS and RTF were calculated by the scholar. The results of the test were finalized
after a week of study.