Startle Inhibition to Positive-Activated Compared to Neutral Stimuli: Variations in Self-Reported Behavioral Approach

In contrast to the research on potentiation of startle during negative emotional states, limited research has focused on the influence of individual differences in reward sensitivity on inhibition of startle during positive-activated emotional states. The present study attempted to replicate and extend previous research by investigating the influence of behavioral approach system (BAS) on the inhibition of startle. Based on a pre-screening of 3,000 participants, 76 undergraduates were recruited for low, moderate, and high BAS groups. Participants viewed a series of positive-activated, neutral, and negative-activated pictures, and bilateral startle eyeblink magnitude was recorded. Inhibition of startle was demonstrated across the entire sample; however, these findings appeared to be driven by participants in the high BAS group. Further, the Group x Affect interaction only was demonstrated in one BAS subscale (BAS-Drive) and the total BAS scale, suggesting differences among the subtypes of BAS in the processing of affective materials.