Motivation and Frontal Asymmetry in an Approach-Motivation Context

Several models describe a broad motivational system underly-ing the modulation of incentive salience, reward sensitivity, and behavioral approach (e.g., Depue & Collins, 1999; Pickering & Gray, 1999). Basic neuroscience studies in humans and ani-mals have firmly established a central role for mesocortico-limbic dopamine signaling in the functioning of this behavioral approach system (BAS; for a review, see Depue & Collins, 1999). In parallel, and largely on the basis of findings from electroencephalogram (EEG) studies in humans, Davidson (1998) postulated a conceptually similar approach system that is activated by the perception of goals, initiates goal-directed behavior toward those goals, and is associated with approach-related motivational and emotional states (i.e, desire, wanting, enthusiasm, pregoal-attainment positive affect, but also anger; see Harmon-Jones, 2004). Neuroanatomically, this approac