Emergence of neuroscience in personality: A review of reinforcement sensitivity theory

This Festschrift examines the evolution of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST), pioneered by Jeffrey A. Gray over four decades. It traces RST’s theoretical lineage from the Eysenckian framework to its contemporary formulations. The article reviews experimental approaches testing RST and addresses the theoretical challenges arising from the literature. A significant focus is on the joint subsystems hypothesis, which suggests a fundamental interdependence between appetitive and aversive systems within human behavior. Gray’s innovative method of constructing behavioral theories based on both conceptual and real nervous systems is affirmed, positioning personality as a scientific inquiry rather than merely a philosophical enigma. [NPID: Reinforcement sensitivity theory, framework, Eysenckian, appetitive, behavior, Gray’s, behavioral theories, personality]

Year: 2004

Reference: Corr P. J. (2004). Reinforcement sensitivity theory and personality. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 28(3), 317–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.01.005