“The Princess and the Pea”

Abstract

The paper concerns sensory sensitivity (SS), a formal characteristic of behavior Strelau introduced in his regulative theory of temperament (RTT). SS is the ability to react to sensory stimuli of low stimulatory value. It contributes to the regulation of stimulation by setting thresholds for the stimulatory input an individual is able to react to. Strelau’s recognition of the orthogonal character of SS and emotional reactivity is the strength of the theoretical concept of SS. However, this approach fails to give the multimodality of sensory perception and the relationship of SS to attention sufficient consideration. References to other theories of sensitivity and the relevant empirical findings shed light on the theoretical and functional value of Strelau’s concept of SS. Both the theory and the corresponding SS scale in the Formal Characteristics of Behavior – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI) reveal certain weaknesses. This paper presents a critical approach to both the theoretical approach to SS in the RTT and its operationalization. It gives suggestions for the revision of the theoretical construct of SS and of its psychometric measure. Recognizing the multiple sense-specific sensitivities would transform the concept of SS into a configuration of modality-specific sensitivities and produce an individual sensitivity profile.