explaining the psychological symptoms in students based on the gray’s biological models of personality

background: gray`s reinforcement sensitivity theory (rst) presupposes individual differences in the sensitivity of basic brain systems that respond to punishing and reinforcing stimuli. these differences are thought to underlie the personality dimensions of anxiety and impulsivity, and to have relevance for psychopathology. the present study aims at studying the relationship between behavioural inhibition/activation systems and psychological symptoms. methods: in this regard, 361 students (205 boys-156 girls) in tabriz university were selected by cluster sampling method and then tested by symptom check list -90-r (scl-90-r) and inventory of behaviour inhibition/ activation systems. the data were analyzed using by software spss-16 and pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression. results: the results show that behavioural inhibition system has a significant relationship with all the 9 symptoms (p<0.05). also, regression results shows that 0/01 of experience of symptoms were explained by behavioural inhibition system (bis). conclusion: it seems that the behavioural inhibition/activation systems (bis/bas) are one of the important components in explaining psychological symptoms, especially in youth.