Zuckerman hypothesized that people who are high sensation seekers require a lot of stimulation to reach their Optimal Level of Arousal.
[4] Sensation-seeking can be divided into four traits:[5][2] The most recent version of the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-V) has demonstrated moderate validity and reliability.
[8] Additionally, negative correlations have been found between agreeableness from the NEO-PI-R and total sensation seeking, and the boredom susceptibility and disinhibition subscales.
The honesty-humility factor of the HEXACO model has been shown to be negatively correlated with sensation seeking and risk taking behaviors.
Marital status is also related to sensation seeking, as studies have found that divorced males tend to be higher in the trait compared to single or married men.
[8] High sensation seekers are more likely to ignore traffic rules and engage in high-risk behaviours associated with accidents and/or crashes resulting in driver injuries.
[8] High sensation seekers are also more likely to enjoy surreal paintings over representational ones[17] or unpleasant art forms (defined as presence of violent or aggressive content or themes of death and despair).
Research found that male undergraduate students conforming to traditional masculinity were more likely to involve themselves with higher levels of sensation seeking and risky behavior compared to females.
[19] Sensation seekers tend to prefer occupations involving novel, stimulating, and unconventional activities and unstructured tasks requiring flexibility, such as scientific and social service professions.
Low sensation seekers tend to prefer more structured, well-defined tasks involving order and routine such as homemaking or teaching.