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Sensation seeking and novelty seeking. Are they the same?
W F McCourt1, R J Gurrera, H S Cutter
1Psychiatry Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brockton, Massachusetts.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|May 1, 1993
Summary
This study explored the link between sensation seeking and personality traits in men undergoing treatment for substance dependence. Sensation seeking correlated with novelty seeking and low harm avoidance, but not reward dependence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Sensation seeking and personality dimensions are linked to behavioral and psychiatric variables.
- Previous research has not examined the relationship between Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) and Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between the SSS and the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire in men treated for alcohol and chemical dependence.
- To determine if sensation seeking is associated with novelty seeking, harm avoidance, or reward dependence.
Main Methods:
- Participants: Men hospitalized for alcohol and chemical dependence treatment.
- Measures: Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS) and Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire.
- Analysis: Pearson correlation and set correlation analysis.
Main Results:
- Total SSS scores significantly correlated with total novelty seeking scores.
- Significant relationships were found between sensation seeking and high novelty seeking, and low harm avoidance.
- Reward dependence showed no association with sensation seeking.
Conclusions:
- Sensation seeking is related to novelty seeking and inversely related to harm avoidance in individuals with substance dependence.
- These findings contribute to understanding personality traits in addiction.
- Reward dependence does not appear to be associated with sensation seeking in this population.