Abstract
Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) is a common, heritable and evolutionarily conserved trait describing inter-individual differences in sensitivity to both negative and positive environments. Despite societal interest in SPS, scientific knowledge is lagging behind. Here, we critically discuss how SPS relates to other theories, how to measure SPS, whether SPS is a continuous vs categorical trait, its relation to other temperament and personality traits, the underlying aetiology and neurobiological mechanisms, and relations to both typical and atypical development, including mental and sensory disorders. Drawing on the diverse expertise of the authors, we set an agenda for future research to stimulate the field. We conclude that SPS increases risk for stress-related problems in response to negative environments, but also provides greater benefit from positive and supportive experiences. The field requires more reliable and objective assessment of SPS, and deeper understanding of its mechanisms to differentiate it from other traits. Future research needs to target prevention of adverse effects associated with SPS, and exploitation of its positive potential to improve well-being and mental health.
Highlights
To survive and thrive on planet earth it is essential for all organisms to draw on environmental resources, such as food, protection from predators and social support
We review the origins of the Sensory Processing Sensitivity framework and how it relates to other frameworks of Environmental Sensitivity (Section 2), how to measure SPS (Section 3), whether empirical evidence supports a dimensional or categorical conceptualisation of SPS (Section 4), the relationship of SPS to other temperament and personality traits (Section 5), what the underlying biological bases of SPS are (Section 6), and the relevance of SPS to mental health and intervention (Section 7)
Compared to Differential Susceptibility, which emphasises that differences in sensitivity are genetically determined and a result of bet-hedging against uncertain futures, Biological Sensitivity to Context emphasises the role of early environmental pressures in shaping sensitivity as it is based on the evolutionary notion of conditional adaptation, as high sensitivity is thought to develop in response to both extreme negative or positive environments (Del Giudice et al, 2011; Ellis and Boyce, 2011)
Summary
To survive and thrive on planet earth it is essential for all organisms to draw on environmental resources, such as food, protection from predators and social support. Explaining individual differences in the ability to register and process environmental stimuli (Pluess, 2015) These include the theories of Differential Susceptibility (Belsky, 1997; Belsky and Pluess, 2009), Biological Sensitivity to Context (Ellis and Boyce, 2011), nd Sensory Processing Sensitivity (Aron and Aron, 1997), the topic of the present review. SPS is related to other temperament and personality traits reflecting sensitivity to environments Traits such as introversion (or low extraversion), neuroticism (or irritability/ negative emotionality), and openness to experience have been associated with increased reactivity to environmental influences (Asscher et al, 2016; Hentges et al, 2015; Pluess et al, 2010). More work is needed on interventions to foster the potential of high SPS individuals and prevent negative consequences
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