Reading a Newspaper on Print Versus Screen: A Motivational Perspective

This study examines the moderating influences of dispositional behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) sensitivities on approach/withdrawal motivation responses measured using frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha asymmetry during reading of a newspaper on the traditional print medium and a tablet. The dispositional BAS and BIS sensitivities of the participants were measured using the BIS/BAS scales. Reading the print newspaper induced relatively greater left frontal cortical activation, suggesting higher approach motivation during reading on paper than on a tablet. BAS Drive and BAS Fun Seeking showed significant moderating effects on frontal EEG asymmetry, higher Drive and Fun Seeking scores predicted lower approach motivation in the tablet reading condition than in the print condition. In contrast, higher Reward Responsiveness predicted higher approach motivation in the tablet reading condition. The conclusion of the paper is that, dispositional BAS sensitivity has a moderating influence on the approach motivation towards a reading medium.