Reinforcement sensitivity theory, vengeance, and forgiveness

We examined how the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation systems (BAS) predict vengefulness and forgiveness. Participants (N = 159) completed measures of BIS, BAS, vengefulness, and forgiveness of self, others, and situations. Initial regression analyses indicated that both BIS and BAS predicted vengefulness. Based on this finding, we examined whether Anxiety and Fear—components of the BIS—and three BAS subscales—Reward Responsiveness, Drive, and Fun-seeking—predicted vengefulness. Only BAS-Drive demonstrated statistically significant ability to predict vengefulness. Higher levels of BIS also predicted lower levels of self- and situational-forgiveness while BAS was not predictive. BIS and BAS did not predict other-forgiveness. The importance of modeling vengefulness and forgiveness within the context of the BIS/BAS distinction is discussed.