Biological Differences
Let’s take a look at how these biological differences manifest them-
selves in each of the four subtypes of sensation-seeking.Thrill- and Adventure-Seeking
Thrill- and adventure-seeking is the classic high sensation-seeking
trait. The potential danger can be magnetic. For those with high
sensation-seeking personalities, their increased release of dopa-
mine during dangerous activities means they get more reward
from thrill and adventure than do their lower sensation-seeking
counterparts. And since high sensation-seekers have lower
amounts of norepinephrine and thus lower arousal systems, they
show lower amounts of cortisol in response to stress.^25 They actu-
ally feel less stress and more pleasure during risky and high sensa-
tion-producing activities. The same activities can push a low
sensation-seeking person beyond their optimal level of arousal.
For the low sensation-seeker, positive sensations shift to negative
ones. This can be the difference between a euphoric jump and
a stressful one. Nick is the classic example of this.Experience-Seeking
The important component in experience-seeking is novelty rather
than danger. For some, the uncertainty of what’s to come brings
anxiety and fear. It activates our behavioral inhibition system. For
the high sensation-seeker with a weaker inhibition system,
novelty isn’t associated with anxiety. The weak inhibition system
of high sensation-seekers means lower cortisol levels. Lower cor-
tisol levels means a reduced stress response. The increased dopa-
mine means those activities bring greater pleasure. Those who are
predisposed to be experience-seekers are able to resist and mini-
mize psychological and physical stress. They have a high thresh-
old for aversive stimuli, and they are less irritable. This allows
them to tolerate stress with new experiences better than lower
sensation-seekers, which can be an advantage. In fact, a study of
smokers found that those who were high experience-seeking tol-
erated smoking deprivation better than low experience-seekers.^26
When confronted with travel, new foods, and other non-
dangerous options, the low levels of stress hormones and higher
experience of pleasure make it easy for experience-seekers to try
new things.43 / Born to Be WildDownloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. Access paid by the UCSF Library, on 11 Nov 2019 at 14:20:40, subject to the Cambridge