Differences in and correlates of sensation seeking in male and female athletes and nonathletes

Abstract This study investigated the differences in sensation seeking between male and female varsity and nonvarsity athletes, using the Sensation Seeking Scale VI (SSS, form VI) developed by Zuckerman (1984; Journal of Behavioral Assessment, 6(2), 101–114). This revised form separates reports of past experiences from desired or intended future experiences on both Disinhibition (DIS) and Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS) factors. This study used volunteers (N=159) from a small, midwestern liberal arts college. Males scored higher than females, regardless of athletic participation, and athletes scored higher than nonathletes, regardless of gender. There were no interactive effects between gender and athletic participation. In another aspect of this study, the relationships between a number of variables and the subscores and total scores were investigated. Age was related to sensation seeking on only one of the subtests. Sensation seeking may be a useful predictor for some of the variables investigated.

[1]  H J Eysenck,et al.  Sensation seeking in England and America: cross-cultural, age, and sex comparisons. , 1978, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[2]  M. Zuckerman,et al.  Demographic influences in sensation seeking and expressions of sensation seeking in religion, smoking and driving habits , 1980 .

[3]  M. Zuckerman,et al.  DEVELOPMENT OF A SENSATION-SEEKING SCALE. , 1964, Journal of consulting psychology.

[4]  K. Hymbaugh,et al.  Sensation Seeking among Skydivers , 1974, Perceptual and motor skills.

[5]  G. B. Kish,et al.  Sex differences in the correlates of stimulus seeking. , 1972, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[6]  M. Zuckerman,et al.  Experience and desire: A new format for Sensation Seeking Scales , 1984 .

[7]  M. Zuckerman,et al.  The sensation seeking motive. , 1974, Progress in experimental personality research.

[8]  Monte S. Buchsbaum,et al.  Sensation seeking and its biological correlates. , 1980 .

[9]  A. D. Trice.  Reliability of Students' Self-Reports of Scholastic Aptitude Scores: Data from Juniors and Seniors , 1990 .

[10]  J. R. Potgieter,et al.  Sensation Seeking among Medium- and Low-Risk Sports Participants , 1990 .

[11]  Julius Gundersheim.  Sensation seeking in male and female athletes and nonathletes. , 1987 .

[12]  C. Leuba.  Toward Some Integration of Learning Theories: The Concept of Optimal Stimulation , 1955 .

[13]  M. Zuckerman.  Sensation seeking and sports , 1983 .

[14]  R. Franken,et al.  Sensation Seeking and Participation in Sporting Activities , 1986 .

[15]  Bert A. Goldman,et al.  Accuracy of College Students' Perceptions of Their Sat Scores, High School and College Grade Point Averages Relative to Their Ability , 1990 .

[16]  G. B. Kish,et al.  Correlates of stimulus-seeking: age, education, intelligence, and aptitudes. , 1968, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.

[17]  J. Haapasalo.  Sensation seeking and Eysenck's personality dimensions in an offender sample , 1990 .

[18]  K. Blankstein,et al.  A Further Correlate of Sensation Seeking: Achieving Tendency , 1976 .

[19]  M. L. Schroth.  Effects of Extrinsic Conditions on Measurement of Sensation Seeking , 1990 .

[20]  W. F. Straub.  Sensation Seeking among High and Low-Risk Male Athletes , 1982 .