Sensation Seeking Theory

Gregor Alfonsin C. Pondoyo

Our link to the external reality is through the senses – the windows to the outside world. Through our senses or sensory organs, we

come to know our world and what we sense often affects our behaviour – Dr. Mariano M.

Ariola, AA; AB; BSE; MA; LL.B.; Ed.D

Sensation and/or stimulation is a need

It is the “need for new and varied experiences along with the acceptance of physical and social risks to get them” ()

It is the need to do “varied, novel, complex sensations and experiences and the willingness to take physical and social risks for the sake of such experiences” (Schultz and Shultz, 1994)

1) Thrill and adventure seeking

2) Experience seeking

3) Disinhibition

4) Boredom susceptibility

age matters women scored higher on experience

seeking men on thrill and adventure seeking,

disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility

Same with subjects from US, Scotland, England, Thailand, and Japan

People who scored higher on the SSS

People who scored lower on the SSS

Egocentrically extraverted

Appears to have high degree of autonomy

Ready to open up with emotions, assertive, can be hedonistic when in company with similar friends, acts independently from social conventions



Appears to be more dissatisfied with relationships

More drawn to paintings with lots of tension and to expressionism

Likes pastoral landscapes

No indication of neurotic behaviour

Zuckerman suggests that neurotic behaviour such as obsessive-compulsive behaviours may be related to low sensation seekers



Enjoys mountain climbing, parasailing, and skydiving

Generally do not enjoy those activities

Prefers new and varied experiences

High tendency to use illicit drugs, smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, drive fast, have frequent sex



Faster drivers

16% in his research reported to have engaged in homosexual activities

7% reported to have engaged in homosexual activities

Has high tendency to participate in gambling



Skydivers, fire fighters, riot-control police officers, race-car drivers scored higherAntisocial and adventurous risk takers has higher SSS scores

Prosocial lower scores than the antisocial and adventurous people

Women were more domineering

Women were more domineering

People who scored higher on the SSS People who scored lower on the SSS

More willing to move from familiar to new surroundings or places even if these places may involve actual dangers

More willing to participate in sensory deprivation which supports Zuckerman’s premise that sensation seeking is not just the finding of stimuli but the inclination to seek novel or unusual experiences



Liberal religious and political attitudes

Authoritarian; rigid opinions and prejudiced attitudes

Low tolerance for vagueness- ambiguous ideas are seen as threats

Permissive attitudes regarding own and peers’ sexual behaviours: sees sex more of a sensual-pleasurable activity





Positive correlation with scientific endeavours

Clerical interests



Men: psychologists, psychiatrist, physician, social worker, minister

Men: accountant, purchasing agent, banker

In the army, high sensation seekers tend to volunteer as combat units



Women: lawyer Women: elementary school teacher, dietician, home economics teacher

Both sexes: crisis-intervention work, paramedics



Quicker in recognizing symbols

Preferred greater complexity in visual stimulation

Preferred stability, symmetry, simplicity

More creative and has greater capacity for original thinking

More creative and has greater capacity for original thinking

Attracted to pseudoscience, speculative or bizarre ideas

Attracted to pseudoscience, speculative or bizarre ideas

Inclined to daydreaming and imagery

Inclined to daydreaming and imagery



Stronger and highly aroused physiological responses

Have higher tolerance threshold for loud noise and pain

Changes detected in◦brain activity ◦sex hormones◦decreased MAO (Monoamine oxidase)

levels

ARAS or the Ascending Reticular Activating System

neurons through nerve impulses that primarily utilize neurotransmitters to transmit messages (Ariola, 2009; Fauci et al, 2009)

NeurotransmitterAcetylcholine (cholinergic/ACH)Dopamine (dopaminergic)Cathecolamines (epinephrine or adrenalin and norepinephrine )SerotoninEndorphinsGaba (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)

dopamine and norepinephrine = sensation seeking

“The brain sometimes converts dopamine into norepinephrine” ().

Monoamine oxidase (MAO)◦ enzyme responsible for this task of

regulating/reducing dopamine levels

Before

After

HormonesTestosterone

EstrogenProgesterone

higher levels of testosterone at birth◦ boldness among boys

higher estradiol◦ showed more timidity

Inmates with high testosterone◦ had violated more prison rules

Ordinary men were more likely to have ◦ many sexual partners◦ abuse alcohol◦ AWOL

Low socioeconomic status men◦ higher tendencies

It is logical to state the obvious that physiology

affects the mind

In Eysenck’s studies emotionality has bearing with the emotion centers of the brain

Introvert/Extravert and the Emotional/Non-emotional types

highly emotional persons are more receptive to conditioning

Behavioural Approach System (BAS)

the group of brain structures that tend to prod people to do something in the light of incentives (positive emotions)

Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS)

the other (or second) group of structures that are responsible in the withdrawal of actions because of the fear or the negative experienced emotion

Both of these systems are believed to be mediated by neurotransmitters explicitly speaking the Dopamine for BAS and the

Serotonin for BIS.

In Zuckerman’s studies, Impulsive Unsocialized Sensation Seeking (IUSS) is coined

concerns the capacity to inhibit behaviour in a service of social adaptation

High IUSS involves seeking positive sensations so to speak (similar to high BAS and low BIS).

Male and female brains are different because of hormonal differences. Two sides of the cortex in female brains are more interconnected. Gay men have more similar brain structure with females.

Das ist alles

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Sensation Seeking Theory