or total scale. The TAS subscale exhibited the highest relationship because it involves primarily an indifference to
physical risk.
Monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) is an enzyme assessed from blood platelets which has been found to be
negatively related to sensation seeking and to be low in persons with personality and clinical disorders character-
ized by high sensation seeking ( Zuckerman, 1994 ). In the brain, MAO serves to regulate the monoamines particu-
larly dopamine. Significant negative correlations were found between MAO-B and General or Total Sensation
Seeking in 10 of 15 studies testing the relationship ( Zuckerman, 2007 ). The median correlation across all studies
was low, only 0.27, but in 13 of the 15 groups the correlation was negative supporting the non-chance nature of
the outcome overall.
Location
Zuckerman, M. (1994). Behavioral expressions and biosocial bases of sensation seeking. New York: Cambridge
University Press.
Results and Comments
Since its publication, the SSS-Form V has been the most widely used SSS form, although some researchers con-
tinued to use Forms II and IV. A new Form VI has found little use in the research literature, but is described later
in this chapter.
Earlier forms of the SSS, II, IV, and V contained some terms which became anachronistic in later generations
or assumed different meanings like ‘swingers’ and ‘jet-setters.’ In the current version of SSS-V ( Zuckerman, 1994 )
such terms were either defined or changed. A more serious problem was that some items in the ES and Dis scales
referred to drinking or drugs so were a confounding factor in studies of the relation between sensation seeking
and actual alcohol and drug use. A similar problem arose with sexual content. Some researchers removed these
items and some did not use the scales containing them. Item or scale exclusion usually made no difference in
results. The ImpSS and SS scales, developed within the ZKPQ, eliminated all content describing such specific
activities, replacing them with more generally stated items.
Note: The Sensation Seeking Scale Form V is available in Zuckerman (1994) .
SSS-FORM V SAMPLE ITEMS
Appendices A /C0D.Below are examples of the forced-
choice items for each subscale:
Directions: Each of the ı ´tems below contains two
choices A and B. Please indicate which of the choices
most describes your likes or the way you feel.
1. A. I like ‘wild’ uninhibited parties.
B.I prefer quiet parties with good conversation.
2. A. There some movies I enjoy seeing a second or
even third time.B.I can’t stand watching a movie that I’ve seen
before.
3. A. I often wish I could be a mountain climber.
B.I can’t understand people who risk their necks
climbing mountains.
4. A. I dislike all body odors.
B.I like some of the earthy body smells.
Notes : Scoring keys: TAS: 3A; ES: 4B; Dis: 1A; BS: 2B.
Reproduced with permission.
Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS Form VI)
(Zuckerman, 1994 ).
Variable
The SSS-VI measures the following variables: Experience /C0TAS; Experience /C0Dis; Intentions /C0TAS; and
Intentions /C0Dis.
Description
The SSS (Form VI) has two sections using the same items in both ( Zuckerman, 1994 ). However the first section
deals with experience and uses a three point Likert-type response scale, i.e., 1. I have never done this. 2. I have
done this once. 3. I have done this more than once. The second part is an intentions scale and also uses a three359 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
III. EMOTION REGULATION