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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse
Published on: November 10, 2010
Locus of control, sensation seeking, and stress
B De Brabander1, J Hellemans, C Boone
1Faculty of Applied Economics, University of Antwerp-RUCA, Belgium.
Abstract:
We explored the relations among locus of control, sensation seeking, and stress (N = 68 students). Corroborating evidence was found that subjects with an external locus of control are more vulnerable to stress. Subjects scoring higher on the thrill and adventure seeking-dimension of sensation seeking reported less severe physical and psychological complaints thought to be associated with stress. These results suggest that high sensation seeking is associated with protective mechanisms against life-stress. Some possible intervening mechanisms are further discussed.
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