Descriptive Psychopathology: The Signs and Symptoms of ...

340 Section 3: Examination domainsTable 14.2. High and low behavioral traitsTemperament dimension High tendency Low tendencyBehavioral inhibitionBehavioral activationBehavioral maintenanceAnxious, worried, cautious,restrained, pessimistic, lowenergy,shy, timid, fearful,full of doubtImpulsive, exploratory andcurious, fickle, extravagant,disorderly, excitable, quicktempered,easily bored,enthusiastic and exuberantWarm, good-hearted, loving,sensitive, dedicated,attached, industrious anddiligentUnrestrained, optimistic,confident, risk-taking,carefree, energetic, bold andvigorous, daring,undauntedOrderly, reflective, loyal,frugal, rigid andregimented, slow-tempered,stoical, reserved,unenthusiastic, tolerantCold, detached, unfriendly,insensitive, indifferent,independent, lazy, easilydeterredBehavioral maintenance. Behavioral maintenance is the tendency to continuebehaviors that are rewarded. The type of rewards to which the person is sensitivepredicts associated traits. Thus some persons with a strong tendency towardbehavioral maintenance will also be high on altruism, empathy, social closenessand nurturance. Others will be high on persistence. Persons said to have dependentor avoidant personality disorder tend to be high on behavioral maintenance.Behavioral maintenance is assessed with questions such as:“Do you think of yourself as a friendly person ... sensitive ... unselfish ... a good friend?”“Do you prefer to be with people or do you prefer being alone? Do you prefer to work onyour own or with a group of co-workers?”“Are you sentimental?”“Are you a hard worker? Do you give up easily or do you stick to the job, even after otherswant to give up?”“Do other people think you’re stubborn ... reliable ... cooperative?”Table 14.2 displays descriptors of persons who are high or low on behavioralinhibition, activation, and maintenance. When the strength of the trait, high orlow, is substantially distanced from the norm, dysfunction and distress is likelyand the person will meet criteria for personality disorder. Persons high onbehavioral inhibition appear similar to those labeled “anxious–fearful”. Thosehigh on behavioral activation and low on behavioral maintenance appear similarto persons with placed in the dramatic–emotional DSM category.