Reliability
Internal Consistency
Cronbach alpha coefficients for the total score ranged from 0.83 to 0.86. Those for the subscales were generally
moderate (0.6 to 0.8). These coefficients were quite similar in the English and American samples, and in both
sexes ( Zuckerman, 1994 ). Despite the reduced number of items in the subscales, the only scale showing lower
alpha coefficients as compared with Form IV was Experience Seeking (ES).
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
Zuckerman (1994) reported correlations between SSS-V and NEO-PI. Total SSS-V scales correlated positively
0.45 with Openness to Experience and 0.22 with Extraversion. Aluja et al. (2003) correlated the SSS-V total score
with the NEO-PI-R. Extraversion and Openness to Experience were positively and significantly related to the
SSS-V Total, but the patterns for the SSS subscales were different. TAS and ES correlated most highly and signifi-
cantly with NEO Openness.
Zuckerman (1994) described the relationships between the SSS IV and V and Eysenck’s scales in many studies.
In general the SSS correlated low to moderately with extraversion and psychoticism but not at all with
neuroticism.
Divergent/Discriminant
Negative correlations between the SSS-V and NEO scales were provided in Zuckerman (1994) , Table 3-10.
Disinhibition scales correlated negatively with Agreeableness ( 20.37), Boredom Susceptibility ( 20.32) and total
SSS-V scale ( 20.31), and Conscientiousness correlated negatively with the Disinhibition ( 20.24), Boredom
susceptibility ( 20.20) and total SSS-V scales.
Construct/Factor Analytic
The factor structure of the Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS), obtained by principal components analysis and vari-
max rotation, in English and American samples was compared, and a new form of the SSS (Form V) applicable
to both groups was developed. Three of the four factors showed good cross-national and cross-sex reliability (i.e.,
significant and reasonably high resemblance between the four national and gender samples). English and
American males did not differ on the total SSS score, but American females scored higher than English females.
Males in both countries scored higher than females on the total SSS score and on the Thrill and Adventure-
Seeking and Disinhibition subscales. Significant age declines occurred for both sexes, particularly on Thrill and
Adventure Seeking and Disinhibition. The Total score correlated highly ( r50.74) with the SS General score from
Forms II and IV.
Haynes, Miles, and Clements (2000) examined the SSS-V using Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Modification Indexes (MIs) and Standardised Parameters Changes (SEPCs) pointed out the existence of correlations
between several items. Incorporation of the correlation of the error variances improved the fit of the four sub-
scales, analysed in an independent way. As a result, they suggested an abbreviated version with four items for
each subscale. Items were selected on the grounds of factor loadings from the modified models, and the absence
of correlations with other selected items. The authors concluded that serious convergence problems were experi-
enced with the shortened version.
Criterion/Predictive
The SSS Forms IV and V have shown a wide range of relations with phenomena associated with novel and
intense experiences and weak inhibition of approach behavior in risky situations ( Zuckerman, 1994, 2007 ). The
breadth of findings far exceeded the original studies focused on sensory deprivation experiments and volunteer-
ing for novel experiments or situations perceived as risky. Hoyle et al. (2000) in their meta-analyses of sexual risk
taking in 38 studies using the SSS, found mean effect sizes of 0.25 for number of sexual partners and 0.19 for gen-
eral sex risk taking. Results were higher for college students and gay men relative to the general non-college pop-
ulation. These coefficients were higher than those found for the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, as well as the
Costa and McCrae (1992) NEO personality inventory.
Jonah (1997) reviewed the literature relating sensation seeking to risky driving. The majority of 40 studies
showed significant relationships with correlations in the 0.30 to 0.40 range. The results are impressive considering
that some studies used only abbreviated forms of the SSS-V which, as a rule, have lower reliabilities than the full358 13. MEASURES OF SENSATION SEEKING
III. EMOTION REGULATION