Individual differences in Sensory Processing Sensitivity: A multilevel and multimodal perspective

Approximately 30% of the population is more sensitive to environmental stimuli and report an impact on their quality of life. Differences in sensitivity are described in the Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) framework (Aron & Aron, 1997) and are thought to have a neurobiological basis. According to Aron & Aron, Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) have a greater depth of information processing, lower sensory thresholds, greater awareness of subtleties, and a tendency for overstimulation. Yet, these characteristics have been not systematically tested. In this project, we will examine whether differences in SPS are situated at multiple levels (subjective, behavioral, and neural level), and across different modalities and contexts. Next, we will investigate whether these differences are bottom-up or top-down driven and whether HSPs’ have a disturbed neural filter. Improving knowledge on the mechanisms of sensory sensitivity can guide practitioners in their assessments and provide hypotheses for further research examining associations between the SPS trait and clinically related, but different disorders.

Keywords:Sensory Processing Sensitivity trait, Multimodal, Visual attention, EEG, Neural Gating

Disciplines:Neuropsychology, Health psychology, Psychophysiology, Personality psychology, Sensory processes and perception