BRIEF SENSATION SEEKING SCALE
Response Categories:
1.Strongly disagree
2.Disagree
3.Neither disagree nor agree
4.Agree
5.Strongly agree
Experience seeking
1.I would like to explore strange places.Boredom susceptibility
2.I get restless when I spend too much time at
home.
Thrill and adventure seeking
3.I like to do frightening things.
Disinhibition
4.I like wild parties.
Note: Reproduced with permission.
FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
From an ad hoc scale developed to predict responses to sensory deprivation, the search for validity has broad-
ened the vision of the sensation seeking construct to a basic personality trait with its roots in evolution, genetics,
and biology. The SSS has been developed in two directions: one a general SS scale combined with a closely asso-
ciated trait, impulsivity (ImpSS in the ZKPQ); the other, a content improved version of the original four basic
content factors (SS in the ZKA-PQ). The items of the current version of the SSS scales included in the ZKA-PQ
have been revised, taking into account specific behaviors such as the use of alcohol, drugs or other specific beha-
viors that could enhance the predictive power of the scales.
If durability is a test of the utility of a construct and its associated assessment tools, then sensation seeking has
proven its survival value. After 50 years it continues to remain of central interest in many fields of psychology.
Although it remains a minor facet of extraversion in the Big Five, the genetic and biological findings support the
contention that sensation seeking is a basic personality trait.
In future research, the sensation seeking psychobiological model can be incorporated into the study of
molecular genetics ( Aluja et al., 2011 ), brain system techniques ( DeYoung, 2010 ), neuronal biochemistry, MRI
(Ryman et al., 2011 ), or electrophysiology ( Carolan, Jaspers-Fayer, Asmaro, Douglas, & Liotti, 2014 ). Research
using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in humans is moving brain studies into sensation seeking
from lower animals back to humans.
Using the new SSS scales included in the ZKA-PQ, it can be seen that individuals having a lack of inhibitory
control show high levels of impulsivity and aggressiveness, and also lower serotoninergic activity. Disinhibition
syndromes defined as a disruption of active inhibitory processes regulating tendencies to respond, refer to
human behavior interpreted as arising from lessened controls on response inclinations. Disinhibited individuals
appear unable to control their immediate response inclinations as a means of achieving long-term goals. Among
the behavioral traits and forms of psychopathology characterized primarily by disinhibition are risky sexuality,
impulsiveness, aggressiveness, antisocial and borderline behavior, as well as alcohol and drug abuse. These
behavioral traits are highly related to sensation seeking. In the near future, it is expected that psychobiological
research in molecular genetics and functional brain imaging will contribute to a better understanding of the
biological bases of personality, including sensation seeking.
References
Aluja, A., & Blanch, A. (2011). Five and seven personality models study: Relationships between the TCI-R, NEO-FFI-R and ZKPQ-50-CC.
Spanish Journal of Psychology ,14, 659/C0666.
Aluja, A., Blanch, A., Garcı ´a, L. F., Garcı ´a, O., & Escorial, S. (2012). Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire (ZKA-PQ) as a
predictor of MCMI-III personality disorders scales. Personality and Mental Health ,6, 217/C0227.
Aluja, A., Garcı ´a, L. F., Blanch, A., De Lorenzo, D., & Fibla, J. (2009). Impulsive-disinhibited personality traits and serotonin transporter gene
polymorphisms: Association study in an inmate’s sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research ,43, 906/C0914.
Aluja, A., Garcı ´a, L. F., Blanch, A., & Fibla, J. (2011). Association of androgen-receptor gene, CAG and GGN repeat length and impulsive-
disinhibited personality traits in inmates: The role of short-long haplotype. Psychiatric Genetics ,21, 229/C0239.
Aluja, A., Garcı ´a, O´., & Garcı ´a, L. F. (2002). A comparative study of Zuckerman’s three structural models for personality through the NEO-PI-
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III. EMOTION REGULATION