Aversive vs. Appetitive Emotional Stimulus Elaboration- Subjective Ratings and Bis and Bas Effects on Psychophysiological and Erps Correlates

The effect of subjective evaluation on arousal and valence dimensions, on one hand, and of the individual differences related to BIS and BAS (Behavioural Inhibition and Activation System) measure, on the other, were considered in response to appetitive and aversive emotional stimuli. Multiple measures were recorded, such as psychophysiological (skin conductance response, heart rate, and electromyography) and ERPs responses, during viewing IAPS figures, that varied in terms of pleasantness (appetitive vs. aversive) and arousing power (high vs. low intensity). Autonomic variables and two ERP positivities (P3 and LPP) were found to be modulated by valence and arousal rating, with an increased response for high arousing and negative or positive stimuli in comparison with low arousing and neutral stimuli. Moreover, BAS subjects were more responsive to positive than negative emotions, whereas BIS subjects responded in greater measure to negative and arousing emotions. The effects of subjective evaluation and individual differences were discussed at light of biphasic model of emotion comprehension.