BIS/BAS drive style

The BIS/BAS scales (Carver & White, 1994) measure two motivational systems: one watches for threats, the other chases rewards. Answer honestly - there are no right answers.

The BIS/BAS scales (Carver & White, 1994) operationalize Gray's reinforcement sensitivity theory: a Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) that tracks punishment and threat, and a Behavioral Activation System (BAS) that drives us toward reward.

BAS splits into Drive (persistent goal pursuit), Fun Seeking (novelty and impulse) and Reward Responsiveness (excitement when good things happen). 24 items total, of which 4 are unscored fillers.

High BIS is not cowardice - it means a sensitive risk radar; high BAS is not recklessness - it means strong reward drive. Knowing your settings beats judging them.

Source: BIS/BAS · Carver & White (1994) · Published academic scale; standard free research use · Original source

How true is each statement for you?

1. A person's family is the most important thing in life
2. Even if something bad is about to happen to me, I rarely experience fear or nervousness
3. I go out of my way to get things I want
4. When I'm doing well at something, I love to keep at it
5. I'm always willing to try something new if I think it will be fun
6. How I dress is important to me
7. When I get something I want, I feel excited and energized
8. Criticism or scolding hurts me quite a bit
9. When I want something, I usually go all-out to get it
10. I will often do things for no other reason than that they might be fun
11. It's hard for me to find the time to do things such as get a haircut
12. If I see a chance to get something I want, I move on it right away
13. I feel pretty worried or upset when I think or know somebody is angry at me
14. When I see an opportunity for something I like, I get excited right away
15. I often act on the spur of the moment
16. If I think something unpleasant is going to happen, I usually get pretty 'worked up'
17. I often wonder why people act the way they do
18. When good things happen to me, it affects me strongly
19. I feel worried when I think I have done poorly at something important
20. I crave excitement and new sensations
21. When I go after something I use a 'no holds barred' approach
22. I have very few fears compared to my friends
23. It would excite me to win a contest
24. I worry about making mistakes