Publication year
2016Number of pages
6 p.
Source
Schizophrenia Research, 176, 2-3, (2016), pp. 514-519ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
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Organization
SW OZ BSI KLP
Journal title
Schizophrenia Research
Volume
vol. 176
Issue
iss. 2-3
Languages used
English (eng)
Page start
p. 514
Page end
p. 519
Subject
Experimental Psychopathology and TreatmentAbstract
Motivational deficits are important determinants of impaired social functioning in schizophrenia, yet we know very little about their precise nature. One influential model of motivation distinguishes between approach and avoidance neurobiological systems that impact the tendency to approach rewarding and avoid threatening stimuli. The current study evaluated approach and avoidance motivational tendencies using both implicit and explicit measures. One-hundred and sixteen individuals with schizophrenia and 73 healthy controls completed the implicit Approach Avoidance Task (AAT) which provides a reaction time-based measure of approach and avoidance tendencies for happy and angry faces, and the Behavioral Inhibition/Behavioral Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS), a self-report measure of approach and avoidance tendencies. The patient sample was re-administered the AAT four weeks later to evaluate re-test reliability. At baseline, patients showed a significant tendency to approach (rather than avoid) angry faces on the AAT. This same pattern was replicated at the follow-up assessment. In contrast, on the BIS/BAS, patients reported significantly elevated BIS scores, reflecting increased avoidance of aversive, anxiety-inducing stimuli. Results suggest a discrepancy between patients' implicit behavioral tendency to approach angry faces and their self-reported avoidance of aversive stimuli.
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- Academic publications [238441]
- Faculty of Social Sciences [29483]
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