Behavioral inhibition and activation dimensions: Relationship to MMPI-2 indices of personality disorder

The behavioral inhibition (BIS) and activation systems (BAS) are featuring prominently in representations of personality and psychopathology. Although theoretical links between the BIS and BAS dimensions and personality disorder (PD) have been offered, little empirical evidence has been forthcoming. In a nonclinical sample of Spanish college students (N = 193), the current study examined the relationship between multiple measures of BIS/BAS and two sets of PD scales derived from the MMPI-2. Overall, findings supported the relationship between BIS and Cluster C PDs (median r = .58) as well as the role of the BAS in Cluster B PDs (median r = .46). However, a mixture of BIS and BAS dimensions was found across Cluster A. Furthermore, strong convergence between two sets of MMPI-2 PD scales with BIS/BAS measures provided additional support for the strength of PD scales in assessing maladaptive personality.