Cognitive Styles and Behavioral Systems: Linking Looming Cognitive Style and Reinforcement Sensitivity

Abstract

Background: Looming cognitive style, with its social and physical subtypes, is highly influential on how individuals perceive and respond to threats. Despite its robust relationship with anxiety, its relationship with other traits is underexplored. Revised reward sensitivity theory also addresses individual differences in approach, avoidance, and susceptibility to fear and anxiety. The current study examined associations of behavioral activation (BAS), inhibition (BIS), and fight-flight-freeze systems (FFFS) with social and physical looming. Method: Data were collected online from 401 adults (343 women) between the ages 18 and 65 (M = 22.78 (SD = 6.57) using measures of looming cognitive style, reinforcement sensitivity, anxiety, and depression. Results: The findings showed that social and physical looming were positively associated with BIS and FFFS, controlling for age, gender, and anxiety and depression symptoms. Additionally, social looming was negatively associated with BAS. Conclusions: The findings indicate that social and physical looming are linked to heightened sensitivity to threat and, in the case of social looming, reduced reward sensitivity. These results underscore the role of looming cognitive style in shaping anxiety-related behaviors and responses to environmental stimuli.