Sensation-Seeking Scale

Abstract: Zuckerman postulated a biopsychological multilevel theory of Sensation Seeking, which is part of a more complex multi-trait theory, the Alternative Five. The Sensation Seeking Scale Form V (SSS V) was developed for the measurement of Sensation Seeking. The process of validation of Sensation Seeking as part of a multilevel theory includes analyses of relations within and between several levels of measurement. The present study investigates validity and basic psychometric properties of a German version of the SSS V in a broader context of psychometric traits. - The 120 participants were mainly students. They completed the SSS V, the Venturesomeness- and Impulsiveness-Scales of the IVE, the BIS/BAS-Scales, the ZKPQ and the NEO-FFI. - The results reveal acceptable psychometric properties for the SSS V but with limitations with regard to factor structure. Indications for criterion validity were obtained by prediction of substance use by the subscales Dis and BS. The results of a MTMM analysis, especially the convergent validities of the SSS V were quite satisfying. On the whole, the results yielded sufficient support for the validity of the Sensation Seeking construct or the instrument respectively. They also point to desirable modifications.

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The Need Inventory of Sensation Seeking (NISS)

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000085 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 11-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Marcus Roth ◽

Philipp Hammelstein

Keyword(s):

Sensation Seeking ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Assessment Method ◽

Factorial Structure ◽

Conventional Methods ◽

New Research ◽

Sensation Seeking Scale ◽

Temperamental Trait ◽

Nonclinical Study

Based on the conception of sensation seeking as a need rather than a temperamental trait ( Hammelstein, 2004 ), we present a new assessment method, the Need Inventory of Sensation Seeking (NISS), which is considered to assess a motivational disposition. Three studies are presented: The first examined the factorial structure and the reliability of the German versions of the NISS; the second study compared the German and the English versions of the NISS; and finally, the validity of the NISS was examined in a nonclinical study and compared to the validity of conventional methods of assessing sensation seeking (Sensation Seeking Scale – Form V; SSS-V). Compared to the SSS-V, the NISS shows better reliability and validity in addition to providing new research possibilities including application in experimental areas.

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Relationship between sensation seeking, alcohol problems and bulimic symptoms: a community-based, longitudinal study

Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia Bulimia and Obesity ◽

10.1007/s40519-021-01193-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Leon Hirvelä ◽

Pyry N. Sipilä ◽

Anna Keski-Rahkonen

Keyword(s):

Sensation Seeking ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Population Level ◽

Alcohol Problems ◽

Community Based ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Bulimic Symptoms ◽

Clinical Scoring ◽

Sensation Seeking Scale

Abstract Purpose The association of bulimic symptoms with sensation seeking is uncertain; however, both behaviors have been linked to alcohol problems. We assessed in a longitudinal, community-based setting whether sensation seeking in adolescence is associated with bulimic symptoms in early adulthood, also accounting for alcohol problems. Methods Finnish men (N = 2000) and women (N = 2467) born between 1974–1979 completed Zuckerman’s sensation seeking scale (SSS) at age 18. Alcohol problems (Malmö-modified Michigan alcoholism screening test (Mm-MAST) and bulimic symptoms [eating disorder inventory-2, bulimia subscale (EDI-Bulimia), population and clinical scoring systems] were defined at age 22–27. We examined relationships between SSS, Mm-MAST, and EDI-Bulimia using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) and linear regression. Results Alcohol problems were moderately correlated with sensation seeking and bulimic symptoms (population scoring) among women and men (r = 0.21–0.31). The correlation between sensation seeking and bulimic symptoms (population scoring) was weak among men (r = 0.06, p = 0.006) and even weaker and non-significant among women (r = 0.03, p = 0.214). Adjustment for alcohol problems removed the association between sensation seeking and bulimic symptoms among men. Furthermore, there were no significant correlations between sensation seeking and bulimic symptoms when assessing EDI-Bulimia clinical scoring. Conclusion Sensation seeking and bulimic symptoms were not associated among women. The association between sensation seeking and bulimic symptoms among men was entirely attributable to increased alcohol problems among those with higher sensation seeking. While this association may be important on the population level, its clinical significance may be minor. Level of evidence Level III, well-designed cohort study.

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Psychometric properties of the French version of Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (B-SSS)

Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliquée ◽

10.1016/j.erap.2021.100655 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 71 (3) ◽

pp. 100655

Author(s):

Emilie Belley-Ranger ◽

Hélène Carbonneau ◽

François Trudeau

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

French Version ◽

Sensation Seeking Scale

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Biogenic amine-related enzymes and personality variations in normals

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291700023229 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 149-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 152

Author(s):

D. L. Murphy ◽

R. H. Belmaker ◽

M. Buchsbaum ◽

N. F. Martin ◽

R. Ciaranello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biogenic Amine ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Amine Oxidase ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Chronic Schizophrenia ◽

Personality Variables ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Plasma Amine Oxidase ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

Sensation Seeking Scale

SynopsisAltered activities of biogenic amine-related enzymes have been reported in some studies of patients with affective disorders and chronic schizophrenia. To evaluate whether any relationship between personality variations, including non-diagnosed psychopathology, and these enzymes might occur in non-psychiatric patients, 95 young adult volunteers were studied. Higher MMPI and Zuckerman sensation-seeking scale scores were found in male, but not female, volunteers with lower platelet and plasma amine oxidase activities. Males generally exhibited negative correlations, while females had positive correlations between the psychological test scores and amine oxidase activities. In contrast to the amine oxidase results, no associations were observed between plasma dopamine β-hydroxylase activities and the personality variables.

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Personality in Assaultive and Non-Assaultive Juvenile Male Offenders

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1984.54.2.527 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 527-530 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Toby Berman ◽

Timothy Paisey

Keyword(s):

Antisocial Behavior ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽

Personality Questionnaire ◽

Juvenile Male ◽

Male Offenders ◽

Sensation Seeking Scale ◽

Juvenile Males ◽

The Relationship ◽

Property Offenses

The present study investigated the relationship between antisocial behavior and personality in 30 American juvenile males convicted of offenses including assault or confrontations with a victim, and 30 juvenile males convicted of offenses involving property without confrontation with a victim. Subjects, who were aged 14 to 17 yr. (mean 15 yr., 8 mo.) and held in detention pending sentencing, were administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale. Juveniles convicted of assaultive offenses exhibited significantly higher psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism scores, and lower lie scores than those convicted of property offenses. Sensation-seeking scores were significantly lower for the non-assaultive group. Results support Eysenck's description of dimensions of offenders' behavior.

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Use of the Sensation-Seeking Scale with Thai Subjects

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1967.20.2.635 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 635-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

William R. Berkowitz

Keyword(s):

Teacher Training ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Measuring Instrument ◽

The Third ◽

Thai Subjects ◽

American Students ◽

Thai Students ◽

Training Schools ◽

Sensation Seeking Scale

This report describes the use and validation of the Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS) with Thai Ss. Based upon anthropological and popular reports about Thailand, it was predicted that (a) Thai students would have lower SSS scores than American students, (b) Buddhist monks would have lower scores than Thai students, and also (c) Thai students in teacher-training schools would have lower scores than those in schools of commerce. The first two hypotheses were confirmed; the third was not. In addition, Thai males had significantly higher SSS scores than females. The advantages of the SSS as a measuring instrument are discussed.

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Associations between psychoactive substance use and sensation seeking behavior among drivers in Norway

10.21203/rs.2.13376/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ragnhild Elén Gjulem Jamt ◽

Hallvard Gjerde ◽

Håvard Furuhaugen ◽

Giovanni Romeo ◽

Vigdis Vindenes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Psychoactive Substance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Polydrug Use ◽

The North ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

Psychoactive Substance Use ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

Sensation Seeking Scale

Abstract BackgroundDrug use and risky driving is associated with sensation seeking. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between use of psychoactive substances and levels of the sensation seeking personality trait as measured with the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 among drivers in Norway. MethodA cross-sectional design was applied to estimate the association between psychoactive substance use and sensation seeking behavior. Drivers in normal traffic were included in two roadside surveys: one in the north (September 2014 – October 2015) and the other in the south-east of Norway (April 2016 – April 2017). Oral fluid was analyzed for alcohol and psychoactive drugs, and data on sex, age and time of participation were recorded. Participants filled in the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 questionnaire. ResultsA total of 8053 drivers were included, of which 32% were women and 62% were under 40 years. The prevalence of alcohol was 0.3%, stimulants 0.6%, tetrahydrocannabinol 1.4% and benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics 2.0% and polydrug use 0.6% Associations between the use of tetrahydrocannabinol or benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics and a low score on the “thrill and adventure seeking” domain of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 (OR = 1.723, 95% C.I. = 1.001- 2.966, p = 0.05) were found. Associations were also found between the use of stimulants and the highest scores on the “experience seeking” (OR = 2.085, 95% C.I. = 1.084-4.009, p = 0.028) and “disinhibition” (OR = 4.791, 95% C.I. =1.748-13.135, p = 0.002) domains of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4. No associations were found between sensation seeking behavior and alcohol or polydrug use. ConclusionA high degree of sensation seeking was found among drivers who had used stimulants, in contrast to drives who had used tetrahydrocannabinol and benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics who showed a low degree of sensation seeking. The combination of sensation seeking behavior and the use of stimulants might lead to increased risky behavior and thus traffic crashes.

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