Buzz Inside the Minds of Thrill-Seekers

Probably the most valid concern about Zuckerman’s

research centers on the confounding factors that are built into

the scale depending on how it’s used. For example, research has

shown that high sensation-seekers have a higher tendency to try

recreational drugs, like marijuanaand cocaine. If you’re trying to

figure out whether or not high sensation-seeking and drug use

correlate, you can’t offer options like “I would not like to try any

drug which might produce strange and dangerous effects on me”

and “I would like to try drugs that produce hallucinations,”

because they ostensibly relate to both variables being tested

(high sensation-seeking and drug use) and therefore explain

away some or all of the potential correlation. I think this is prob-

ably an issue from the standpoint ofstatistical accuracy, although

Zuckerman has rebutted this concern saying that validity in pre-

dicting engagement in certain behaviors (like sex, drugs, and

others) has been unaffected even when the offending items are

removed.

Rick Hoyle and his colleagues have revised Zuckerman’s

classic scale into a version called the Brief Sensation-Seeking

Scale (BSSS).^21 The BSSS addresses some of the concerns of the

classic scale but it still reveals scores on each of the four sub-

scales. If you’re interested in finding out where you lie on the

continuum of sensation-seeking, you can take Zuckerman’s clas-

sic scale in Appendix 2 or Hoyle’s BSSS below. It’s really best if

you take the quiz before you read the rest of the book in order

to gain the most insight into yourown sensation-seeking quali-

ties. Just note your scores for now, we’ll interpret them in

amoment.

The Brief Sensation-Seeking Scale

For each statement, describe yourself by picking a number from 1

to 5, and add up your answers as directed.

12345

Not at all

like me

Not like

me

Unsure or

both like

and not

like me

Like me Very much

like me

15 / What is Sensation-Seeking

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