I think it totally depends on the person.
Malmsteen plays lots of descending licks.. just because they sound good.
If you see him live, when he just cuts loose and jams for a few minutes (usually during, or after one of his older songs, like Black Star or Far Beyond The Sun), he ascends scales just as much as he descends.
Hell, I'm the opposite, you'll hear me playing ascending licks more often. Although I try not to play in such a linear fasion.
