Highly sensitive person

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A highly sensitive person (HSP) is a condition hypothesized by Elaine Aron in her book, The Highly Sensitive Person. It claims that highly sensitive people process sensory data exceptionally deeply and thoroughly due to a biological difference in their nervous systems. This is a specific trait with key consequences that in the past has often been confused with innate shyness, inhibitedness, innate fearfulness, introversion, and so on. [1] Although the term is primarily used to describe humans, the trait is present in nearly all higher animals.

The term highly sensitive person was coined by Dr. Elaine N. Aron in 1996, and the name is gaining popularity because it presents the trait in a positive light. Other names used to describe the trait in literature include 'introverted emotional temperament', 'chronic cortical/cortisol arousal', 'hypervigilance', and 'innate shyness'.

Dr. Aron describes the opposite end of the spectrum, "the opposite of a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is a person who takes many risks, that is acts without reflecting very much. An HSP who is an HSS (High Sensation Seeker) also will find ways to have lots of new experiences, but won't take a lot of unreflected upon risks."[2] She also cites studies involving other animals ranging from mammals to houseflies and goldfish.[3]

Contents

[edit] Research

The research on sensory-processing sensitivity builds on Eysenck's views on introversion and arousal and Gray's work on the inhibition system. This research in turn builds on Pavlov's work on sensory response to both physical and mental overstimulation, and work by Jung and his contemporaries differentiating extroverted and introverted cognitive senstitivity types. [4] This research shows that about 15-20% of humans and higher animals have a nervous system that is more sensitive to subtleties. This means that regular sensory information is processed and analyzed to a greater extent, which contributes to creativity, intuition, sensing implications and attention to detail, but which may also cause quick overstimulation and overarousal.[3]

This temperament may also have some correlation with continuously high cortisol levels, which may cause hypervigilance and susceptibility to trauma, or the same traumas may encourage hypervigilance, which in turn may contribute to high cortisol. Being highly sensitive may amplify or create psychological issues when overarousal occours. The ability to unconsciously or semi-consciously process environmental subtleties often contributes to an HSP seeming 'gifted' or possessing a 'sixth sense'. Sensitiveness is often confused with shyness, but 30% of HSPs have extroverted personalities. Another common misconception is that only females can be HSPs - there are roughly the same number of male HSPs as female. The percentage appears to hold true for all animals possessing this trait.[3]

[edit] Attributes and characteristics

HSP students work differently than others. They pick up on the subtle things, learning better this way than when overaroused. If an HSP student is not contributing much to a discussion, it does not necessarily mean they do not understand or are too shy. HSPs often process things better in their heads or they may be overaroused. This can be the reason for their not contributing. HSPs are usually very conscientious but underperform when being watched. This also applies to work situations; HSPs can be great employees - good with details, thoughtful and loyal, but they do tend to work best when conditions are quiet and calm. Because HSPs perform less well when being watched, they may be overlooked for a promotion. HSPs tend to socialize less with others, often preferring to process experiences quietly by themselves. [3] [5]

[edit] Contrast with Dabrowski's Overexcitability

Readers interested in HSP may want to compare and contrast Aron's approach with Dabrowski's concept of overexcitability in his theory of Positive Disintegration. Dabrowski takes the stand that OE is a vital and necessary requirement of advanced psychological development, not a troublesome trait to be managed and avoided.

[edit] Sources and notes

  1. ^ Brodt, S., Zimbardo, P. "Modifying Shyness-Related Social Behavior Through Symptom Misattribution" Journal of Personality and Society Psychology 41 (1981): 437-49.
  2. ^ WebMD Live Events Transcript The Highly Sensitive Person In Love with Elaine Aron
  3. ^ a b c d
    • Aron, Elaine. 1996. The Highly Sensitive Person. ISBN 0-553-06218-2.
    • Aron, Elaine and Aron, Arthur. 1997. Sensory-Processing Sensitivity and Its Relation to Introversion and Emotionality, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Aug. 1997 Vol. 73, No. 2, pp. 345-368.
  4. ^ Aron, E. N. (2004). "Revisiting Jung's Concept of Innate Sensitiveness." Journal of Analytical Psychology, 49, 337-367.
  5. ^ sensitiveperson.com Attributes and Characteristics of Being Highly Sensitive by Thomas Eldridge

[edit] Further reading

Articles
  • Bruch, M., Gorsky, J., Cullins, T., and Berger, P. "Shyness and Sociability Reexamined: A Multicomponent Analysis" Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 57 (1989): 904-15.
  • Deo, P. and Singh, A. "Some Personality Correlates without Awareness" Behaviorometric 3 (1973): 11-21.
  • Gough, H. and Thorne, A., "Positive, Negative, and Balanced Shyness: Self-Definitions and the Reations of Others" in Shyness: Perspectives on Research and Treatment ISBN 0-306-42033-3.
  • Higley, J., Suomi, S. "Temperamental Reactivity in Non-Human Primates" in Temperament in Childhood ed. Kohnstramm, G., Bates, J., and Rothbart, M. (New York: Wiley, 1989), 153-67.
  • Kagan, J., Reznick, J., Snidman, N. "Biological Bases of Childhood Shyness" ""Science 240 (1988): 167-71.
  • Thorne, A. "The Press of Personality: A Study of Conversations Between Introverts and Extraverts" Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 53 (1989): 713-26.
  • Raleigh, M., McGuire, M. "Social and Environmental Influences on Blood Serotonin and Concentrations in Monkeys" Archives of General Psychiatry 41 (1984): 181-90.
  • Revelle, W., Humphreys, M. Simon, L., and Gillian, K. "Interactive Effect of Personality, Time of Day, and Caffeine: A Test of the Arousal Model" Journal of Experimental Psychology General 109 (1980): 1-13.
  • Zumbo, B., and Taylor, S. "The Construct Validity of the Extraversion Subscales of the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator" Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science 25, (1993): 590-604.
Books
External links
  • The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine N. Aron. Site includes self-test and conference details.
  • The Highly Sensitive Person's Survival Guide by Dr. Ted Zeff. Site also includes resources for healing insomnia.
  • Highly Sensitive People by Jim Hallowes. Site includes information about the inherited trait of high sensitivity, as well as some products, books, DVDs, and other resources that may be helpful to HSPs (Highly Sensitive Persons).
  • PDF Research paper Jawer, Mr. Michael (2005) Environmental Sensitivity: A Neurobiological Phenomenon?. Seminars in Integrative Medicine 3(3):pp. 104-109.
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