A Multitrait-Multimethod Model for the Measurement of Sensitivity to Reward and Sensitivity to Punishment

Abstract

Abstract. It was investigated whether sensitivity to reward and sensitivity to punishment as conceived in Gray's (1991) Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory could be measured by means of a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) model containing method factors representing situational variance. On the basis of the similarities between sensitivity to reward and punishment with promotion- and prevention-orientation, as discussed in the organizational context, the situational contexts were mainly chosen from school and organization. A total of 347 German participants completed a 58-item questionnaire measuring sensitivity to reward and punishment in the context of the team, of supervisors/instructors, and consumption. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a factor for sensitivity to reward, for sensitivity to punishment, and three situational context factors (team, supervisor/instructor, and consumption). Thus, the situational variance could be controlled by means of the MTMM design. Moreover, some relations of sensitivity to reward and punishment with educational performance were found.