Behavioral Inhibition System

Jeffrey Gray's neurobiological concept of a brain system that responds to signals of punishment, non-reward, novelty, and innate fear stimuli by inhibiting ongoing behavior and increasing attention.

The BIS as the neural substrate of anxiety: a system that activates when the organism encounters a mismatch between expected and actual events, or signals of punishment/non-reward — causing behavioral inhibition, arousal, and attention. Located primarily in the septo-hippocampal system. Contrasts with the Behavioral Activation System (BAS), which responds to reward signals. Forms the neurobiological basis of the anxiety dimension of personality. Later developed (with McNaughton) into a full theory of anxiety and conflict resolution.