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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action tendency | 2/2 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_tendency | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T07:13:08.318647+00:00 | kb-cron |
==== Two cognitive systems maintain action tendency activation ==== Source:
The Behavioural Activation System (BAS): Responds to reward cues, predisposing individuals to approach behaviours. The Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS): Responds to punishment or novelty cues, predisposing individuals to avoidance or inhibiting behaviours. Neuroimaging studies show the left frontal cortex links to approach tendencies (BAS), while the right frontal cortex links to withdrawal tendencies (BIS).
=== Cognitive and social regulation === The activation, suppression, and regulation of action tendencies are influenced by cognitive, social, and contextual factors. One primary regulatory mechanism is cognitive reappraisal – the ability to reinterpret emotionally-inducing events to align with personal goals. This mechanism allows individuals to adjust emotional impulses prior to the full onset of a reaction. Studies show it effectively reduces negative emotions and promote positive emotions to generate more socially appropriate tendencies. Social environments and cultural norms also shape cognitive responses to emotional events. Social Identity Theory argues individuals internalise the beliefs and behaviours of their in-groups – groups they identify with – creating strong desires to perform actions that reinforce conformity to group norms. For instance, while anger may promote aggressive, confrontational urges, societal norms and law-compliance often inhibit these behaviours. This is often mediated by fear of punishment or reputational damage that override antisocial tendencies. Perceived action tendency may also play a role in social conditioning and self-esteem which is observable at an early developmental stage. In 1979, experimental data demonstrated that children who self-reported more frequent assertive and aggressive tendencies experienced lower self-image and negative social stigma. These findings suggest that the self-observation of behavioural tendencies plays a significant role in the construction of identity and the regulation of behaviour. However, highly irrational emotions present a harder regulatory challenge, evident in psychological disorders like depression, anxiety and panic, where involuntary emotions govern action tendencies. This can lead individuals to act on irrational and antisocial urges driven by unregulated emotional states.
== See also == Determination Behaviourism Behavioural change theories Emotion and culture Emotional self-regulation Emotional dysregulation Emotional expression Self-preservation Goal setting Motivational therapy Motivational Interviewing Instinct Normality (behaviour)
== References ==