Citation

Lang A, Shin M, Lee S. Media Psychol. 2005; 7(1): 1-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1207/S1532785XMEP0701_1

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article extends conceptualizations of sensation seeking as a function of an overactive appetitive motivational system and weakly active aversive motivational system. Using Cacioppo's motivational model (Cacioppo, Gardner, & Bernston, 1999) of emotion, sensation seeking is conceptualized as a function of positivity offset and negativity bias. Positivity offset is the degree to which the appetitive system is more active than the aversive system in a neutral environment. Negativity bias is the speed with which the aversive system responds to negative stimuli of increasing intensity. We report a study that begins the development of the motivation activation measure, containing measures of positivity offset and negativity bias as individual differences. These measures are examined for reliability, and then we begin the process of validating them by examining their relations with sensation seeking and substance use.
This article extends conceptualizations of sensation seeking as a function of an overactive appetitive motivational system and weakly active aversive motivational system. Using Cacioppo's motivational model (Cacioppo, Gardner, & Bernston, 1999) of emotion, sensation seeking is conceptualized as a function of positivity offset and negativity bias. Positivity offset is the degree to which the appetitive system is more active than the aversive system in a neutral environment. Negativity bias is the speed with which the aversive system responds to negative stimuli of increasing intensity. We report a study that begins the development of the motivation activation measure, containing measures of positivity offset and negativity bias as individual differences. These measures are examined for reliability, and then we begin the process of validating them by examining their relations with sensation seeking and substance use.