Differences In Sensation Seeking Research Articles

Competitiveness Facets and Sensation Seeking as Predictors of Problem Gambling Among a Sample of University Student Gamblers

Understanding the factors that contribute to problem gambling (PG) is imperative. Individual differences in sensation seeking (SS), as measured by the Sensation Seeking Scale Form (SSS-V), have been found to be predictive of PG among university student samples. However, what is less clear, is if the four SSS-V subscales capture unique facets of SS that are particularly predictive of PG. Much less studied than SS, competitiveness has also been found to be predictive of PG. The Competitiveness Orientation Measure (COM) is a newly developed measure of competitiveness, comprising of four facets. The main purpose of the current study was to examine if these four facets of competitiveness predicted variance in PG over and above the variance predicted by the four SSS-V subscales. Participants included 158 university student gamblers. Sequential regression analysis showed that after accounting for gender, age, and the four SSS-V subscales the only facet of the COM found to be a significant predictor of PG severity was Dominant Competitiveness. Dominant Competitiveness predicted an additional 11% of PG severity. These results provide support for the Dominant Competitiveness subscale of the COM as having utility in predicting PG over and above the predictive utility of the SSS-V subscales. Practical implications for the current findings are discussed.

The Dark Triad: Beyond a ‘male’ mating strategy

The Dark Triad (DT: sub-clinical narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy) is argued to facilitate a male short-term mating strategy. The trait constellation in women and its potential adaptive benefits has received less attention. We examined the prevalence and correlates of DT in a large community sample (N=899). Despite finding expected sex differences in Sensation-seeking, Competitiveness, strength of sexual motivation, recreational sex behaviors and neuroticism, we found no sex difference in DT scores. Furthermore, within-sex multiple regressions identified the same predictors of DT score with similar weightings. Moderation analysis confirmed regression equations did not differ by sex. We propose that focus on DT as a male adaptation to short-term mating has been overstated and that men’s greater preference for casual sexual encounters is not explained by DT traits.

Can sex sell bread?

Despite the prominent use of sexual appeals in advertising, little is known about how consumers process messages that contain explicit versus implicit sexual appeals. This research presents the results of two studies that tested whether product type and individual consumer differences in sensation seeking moderated the effects of sexual appeal type. In Study 1, we conducted an experiment and found that an explicit sexual appeal was more effective in promoting a sexually related product, while an implicit sexual appeal was more effective in promoting a non-sexually related product. The above-mentioned results only held for high sensation-seeking participants, not for those who are low sensation seekers. In Study 2, we used a different manipulation of product type and replicated the results. The findings underscore how important it is for marketers to learn more about how different sexual appeals work. The findings also illuminate how practitioners can avoid negative consumer reactions to a sexual appeal. Advertising didn’t mix sex up with our daily lives. The great Marketeer in the sky did that.Barry Brooks

Risk Recognition and Sensation Seeking in Revictimization and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Impaired risk recognition has been suggested to be associated with the risk for revictimization and the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, risk behavior has been linked to high sensation seeking, which may also increase the probability of revictimization. A newly designed behavioral experiment with five audiotaped risk scenarios was used to investigate risk recognition in revictimized, single-victimized, and nontraumatized individuals with and without PTSD. Moreover, the potential role of sensation seeking in revictimization, and PTSD as well as its relation to risk recognition was explored. Revictimized, single-victimized, and nontraumatized individuals did not differ with regard to general risk recognition. However, delayed risk recognition was found for the revictimized group when arousal ratings were considered. No differences in sensation seeking were found between the three groups; only the nontraumatized group showed lower boredom susceptibility relative to the revictimized group. Delayed risk recognition was associated with high sensation seeking. Furthermore, PTSD symptoms significantly predicted exit levels of risk scenarios. Findings are discussed against the background of previous research.

A multivariate assessment of individual differences in sensation seeking and impulsivity as predictors of amphetamine self-administration and prefrontal dopamine function in rats.

Drug abuse vulnerability has been linked to sensation seeking (behaviors likely to produce rewards) and impulsivity (behaviors occurring without foresight). Since previous preclinical work has been limited primarily to using single tasks as predictor variables, the present study determined if measuring multiple tasks of sensation seeking and impulsivity would be useful in predicting amphetamine self-administration in rats. Multiple tasks were also used as predictor variables of dopamine transporter function in the medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortexes, as these neural systems have been implicated in sensation seeking and impulsivity. Rats were tested on six behavioral tasks as predictor variables to evaluate sensation seeking (locomotor activity, novelty place preference, and sucrose reinforcement on a progressive ratio schedule) and impulsivity (delay discounting, cued go/no-go, and passive avoidance), followed by d-amphetamine self-administration (0.0056-0.1 mg/kg infusion) and kinetic analysis of dopamine transporter function as outcome variables. The combination of these predictor variables into a multivariate approach failed to yield any clear relationship among predictor and outcome measures. Using multivariate approaches to understand the relation between individual predictor and outcome variables in preclinical models may be hindered by alterations in behavior due to training and thus, the relation between various individual differences in behavior and drug self-administration may be better assessed using a univariate approach in which a only a single task is used as the predictor variable.

Frontal Lobe Activation Mediates the Relation Between Sensation Seeking and Cortisol Increases

Low sensation seekers are theorized to avoid risk more often because risk is emotionally more costly for them (in comparison to high sensation seekers). Therefore, individual differences in sensation seeking should predict differences in risk task-induced cortisol changes. Furthermore, the neural mediation that accounts for the relation between sensation seeking and cortisol changes has not been studied. The current study tested whether individual differences in sensation seeking predicted cortisol changes in relation to a risk task and whether this relation was mediated by frontal lobe activation. Participants (N=17) who varied in sensation seeking completed an fMRI study in which they rated the likelihood they would take various risks. Cortisol was measured from saliva samples collected prior to and after the fMRI procedure. The findings show that low sensation seekers showed the greatest rise in cortisol after the risk procedure, and this relation was partially mediated by increased orbitofrontal cortex activity.

The Association of Sensation Seeking and Impulsivity to Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol

This study examined the association between sensation seeking, impulsivity, and drunk driving. Results showed significant differences in sensation seeking and impulsivity among 160 individuals convicted of impaired or intoxicated driving and individuals who had never been arrested for driving while under the influence/driving while intoxicated offenses.

Brain responses to repeated visual experience among low and high sensation seekers: Role of boredom susceptibility

To better understand individual differences in sensation seeking and its components, including boredom susceptibility and experience seeking, we examined brain responses of high and low sensation seekers during repeated visual experience. Individuals scoring in the top and bottom quartiles from a college-aged population on the Brief Sensation-Seeking Scale (BSSS) participated in an event-related potentials (ERPs) experiment. Line drawings of common objects were randomly intermixed and presented 1–3 times. Sixty-four channel ERP responses were recorded while participants classified items as “man-made” or “not man-made” in a repetition priming task. The two groups showed different ERP responses at frontal electrode sites after seeing a visual stimulus for 400–800 ms. The frontal late positive components (LPC) showed different habituation of ERP responses to new and studied repeated objects between high and low sensation seekers. Source localization analysis (LORETA) indicated that during visual stimulus adaptation the ventral pre-frontal cortex showed lack of frontal involvement among high sensation seekers. Furthermore, frontal LPC latencies during repeated visual exposure correlated with boredom susceptibility and experience seeking subscales. The distinct profiles of brain responses to repeated visual experience in high and low sensation seekers provide evidence that individual differences in neural adaptation can be linked to personality dimensions.

Sensation Seeking and Spatial Ability in Athletes: an Evolutionary Account

Sensation Seeking and Spatial Ability in Athletes: an Evolutionary Account The aim of this study was threefold: (a) to examine sex differences in sensation seeking and spatial abilities in a sample of athlete students, (b) to explore whether measures of sensation seeking and spatial ability can be used to distinguish between athletes engaging in sports of different levels of risk, and (c) to explore the relationship between sensation seeking and spatial abilities in a sample of athlete students. A total of 201 students athletes engaged in sports of different levels of risk completed the Spatial relations test, Mental rotation test, and Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale-V. Men scored higher than women in both measures of spatial abilities and on DIS, while women scored higher than men on ES. High-risk group had higher SSS and TAS scores than low- and medium- risk groups, and low-risk group had lower DIS scores than medium- and high-risk group, but there were no differences in spatial ability among athletes engaged in sports of different levels of risk. Spatial ability correlated with sensation seeking measures in men only. The results are discussed in terms of possible common biological background of these two sex-dimorphic traits.

Towards a multi-methodological approach in the assessment of sensation seeking

The present contribution is a reply to Zuckerman’s (2008) article “Rose is a rose is a rose: Content and construct validity” published in response to our article “Beyond a youthful behavior style – age and sex differences in sensation seeking based on need theory” ( Roth, Hammelstein, & Brähler, 2007). We address the two major points of criticism expressed by Zuckerman. First, the dynamic nature of content validity is emphasized and it is stressed that this type of validity must be subject to reexamination whenever a scale is applied in a specific context. Second, we emphasize the necessity of measuring all constructs using a multi-method approach.

Rose is a rose is a rose: Content and construct validity

This is a response to Roth, Hammelstein, and Brähler’s (2007) article: “Beyond a youthful behavior style—Age and sex differences in sensation seeking based on need theory”. The authors developed a new scale for sensation seeking because they claim that the behavioral type of items in Zuckerman (1979, 1994, 2007) sensation seeking scale (SSS) do not reflect a need for varied, novel, intense, and complex sensations. The criticism of the SSS is one of content rather than construct validity. Content validity cannot substitute for construct validity, as measured by relationships between a scale and external criteria. “Need” was part of an older definition of sensation seeking but was dropped because the construct of need as a secondary drive is not relevant to the trait concept of sensation seeking. Tolerance for risk is part of the definition of sensation seeking but sensation seeking covers a broader range of phenomena including non-risky preferences. In spite of the specificity of the content of different sensation seeking scales all of them show age declines. A “youthful behavior style”, as reflected in the content of the items, does not produce the age changes in the trait itself.

Age differences in sensation seeking and impulsivity as indexed by behavior and self-report: Evidence for a dual systems model.

It has been hypothesized that sensation seeking and impulsivity, which are often conflated, in fact develop along different timetables and have different neural underpinnings, and that the difference in their timetables helps account for heightened risk taking during adolescence. In order to test these propositions, the authors examined age differences in sensation seeking and impulsivity in a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse sample of 935 individuals between the ages of 10 and 30, using self-report and behavioral measures of each construct. Consistent with the authors' predictions, age differences in sensation seeking, which are linked to pubertal maturation, follow a curvilinear pattern, with sensation seeking increasing between 10 and 15 and declining or remaining stable thereafter. In contrast, age differences in impulsivity, which are unrelated to puberty, follow a linear pattern, with impulsivity declining steadily from age 10 on. Heightened vulnerability to risk taking in middle adolescence may be due to the combination of relatively higher inclinations to seek excitement and relatively immature capacities for self-control that are typical of this period of development.

Intensity seeking and novelty seeking: Their relationship to adolescent risk behavior and occupational interests

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that individual differences in sensation seeking account for adolescents’ risk behavior and vocational interests. We relied on Arnett’s (1994) conceptualization of sensation seeking as involving a need for intensity and a need for novelty, neither of which includes the willingness to take risks. Self-report scales measuring intensity seeking, novelty seeking, impulsiveness, risk behavior and vocational interest were administered to 636 adolescents. New scales measuring intensity seeking (IS) and novelty seeking (NS) were used. Regression analyses showed that IS and to a lesser extent NS accounted for a small part of variance of risk behavior, independent of impulsiveness. IS and NS accounted for vocational interests. The discussion emphasizes the importance of disentangling sensation seeking as a trait from willingness to take risks when one intends to analyse the effect of the former on risk behavior.

Beyond a youthful behavior style – Age and sex differences in sensation seeking based on need theory

Previous studies examining sex and age-related differences in sensation seeking have mainly focused on specific patterns of behaviour that can be described as a youthful behaviour style. In contrast, the present study assessed age and sex differences in sensation seeking using the need inventory of sensation seeking (NISS). This instrument measures sensation seeking without items which are descriptive of concrete behaviours. Data were collected in Germany from 2339 subjects aged 14–79 years; constituting a representative population sample of Germany. The results indicate that sensation seeking scores decline over the course of age, even when no age-related behaviors are itemized in measuring the construct. Significant sex-related differences were also observed, although, contrary to age, they only accounted for a small part of the variance in sensation seeking.

Psychological Profile of Turkish Rock Climbers: An Examination of Climbing Experience and Route Difficulty

The purpose of this study was to examine sensation seeking, physical self-perception, and intrinsic and extrinsic motives of rock climbers and to compare these psychological constructs with respect to their years of climbing experience and the difficulty of their climbing routes. 64 climbers (M age=29.1 yr., SD=6.4) voluntarily participated in this study. The Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS), Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ), and Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) were administered to the rock climbers. Analysis indicated that the mean score of rock climbers on the Novelty subscale of the Sensation Seeking Scale was 33.9 (SD= 3.6) and mean value on the Intensity subscale was 29.2 (SD=5.2). The mean scores of rock climbers on the PSDQ ranged between 3.9 (SD= 1.0, Physical Activity) and 5.1 (SD= 1.1, Body Fat). Descriptive analysis indicated that the highest mean score of rock climbers on the SMS was obtained in Intrinsic motivation to Experience Stimulation (5.7, SD= 0.9). The independent sample t test showed no significant differences in sensation seeking, physical self-perception, and sport motivation with regard to years of climbing experience and route difficulty (p>.05). It may be concluded that sensation seeking in climbers is high, and they have internal motivational orientation and positive physical self-perception; their competence in climbing has no obvious relationship to these variables.

Finger Length, Digit Ratio and Gender Differences in Sensation Seeking and Internet Self-Efficacy

Finger Length, Digit Ratio and Gender Differences in Sensation Seeking and Internet Self-Efficacy

Prediction error as a linear function of reward probability is coded in human nucleus accumbens

Reward probability has been shown to be coded by dopamine neurons in monkeys. Phasic neuronal activation not only increased linearly with reward probability upon expectation of reward, but also varied monotonically across the range of probabilities upon omission or receipt of rewards, therefore modeling discrepancies between expected and received rewards. Such a discrete coding of prediction error has been suggested to be one of the basic principles of learning. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show that the human dopamine system codes reward probability and prediction error in a similar way. We used a simple delayed incentive task with a discrete range of reward probabilities from 0%–100%. Activity in the nucleus accumbens of human subjects strongly resembled the phasic responses found in monkey neurons. First, during the expectation period of the task, the fMRI signal in the human nucleus accumbens (NAc) increased linearly with the probability of the reward. Second, during the outcome phase, activity in the NAc coded the prediction error as a linear function of reward probabilities. Third, we found that the Nac signal was correlated with individual differences in sensation seeking and novelty seeking, indicating a link between individual fMRI activation of the dopamine system in a probabilistic paradigm and personality traits previously suggested to be linked with reward processing. We therefore identify two different covariates that model activity in the Nac: specific properties of a psychological task and individual character traits.

Sensation seeking in the community: Sex, age and sociodemographic comparisons on a representative German population sample

Our current knowledge regarding age and sex differences in sensation seeking is based on studies, which all use the SSS-V. The aim of the present study therefore was to validate the results reported by Zuckerman, Eysenck, and Eysenck (1978) while applying an alternative instrument. We also examined the relevance of sociodemographic factors in sensation seeking. German data were collected from 1949 subjects (47% female; aged 16–79 years) constituting a representative population sample of Germany. Sensation Seeking was measured using the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS), which consists of two subscales: Novelty and Intensity constituting a Total Score. The results clearly confirm the postulated age and sex differences. Significant age declines occurred on all three scales for both sexes. Males generally scored higher than females in all age groups. The age and sex differences are independent of sociodemographic factors. On the whole, sociodemographic factors explain only a small part of the variance in sensation seeking.

Generation and sex differences in sensation seeking: results of the family study.

Previous research regarding sex and age differences for sensation seeking in English, American, Canadian, and Australian samples showed clear sex differences and a decline of sensation seeking across ages. The 1978 Form V of the Sensation Seeking Scale was administered to a Croatian sample of 151 high school students and their 226 parents. Analysis showed that parents had lower mean scores than their children, consistent with the hypothesis that sensation seeking declines with age. Male subjects scored higher on the total Sensation Seeking, and Thrill and Adventure Seeking, Disinhibition, and Boredom Susceptibility subscales than female subjects, while there was no difference between male and female subjects on the Experience Seeking scale. Also, several sex-by-generation interactions were significant.

Food Neophobia in Humans: Effects of Manipulated Arousal and Individual Differences in Sensation Seeking

Pliner, P. and N. Melo. Food neophobia in humans: Effects of manipulated arousal and individual differences in sensation seeking. Physiol Behav 61(2) 331–335, 1997.—The study examined the effects of manipulated arousal and the trait of Sensation Seeking on willingness to taste novel foods (as assessed by means of a choice task). Arousal was manipulated by having subjects play an exciting, neutral, or boring video game. In line with predictions from optimal level of arousal theories, subjects chose more novel foods when manipulated arousal was low (vs. neutral) and fewer novel foods when manipulated arousal was high (vs. neutral). There was no main effect of individual differences in optimal level of arousal as assessed by the Sensation Seeking Scale; however, an interaction between the two independent variables revealed high-sensation seekers to try more novel foods than lows under conditions of low arousal.