Defining the concept
High sensitivity, introduced in the academic literature as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) (Aron & Aron, 1997) is an innate trait that approximately 15-20% of the world’s population has. This trait is characterized by a high sensitivity of the central nervous system, a deep processing of internal and external stimuli, and a tendency in the cognitive style to process information more elaborately (Aron, Aron, & Jagiellowicz, 2012).
Elain Aron (2004), who started the research in this field, has conceptualized a model that defines this concept from 4 perspectives – the DOES model:
- D – deep processing: information is processed more deeply,
- O – overstimulation: the tendency of being overwhelmed by the quantity of information that they encounter,
- E – emotional reactivity/empathy: the empathy they display, the emotional reactivity as a feedback to other people feelings
- S – subtleties: the nuances and details they perceive.
Although initially it was recognized in a limited number of species, nowadays it is considered that SPS is characteristic to members of more than 100 non-human species (Wolf, van Doorn, & Weissing, 2008). The concept of sensory processing sensibility adopted the biological perspective, which states that for most species there are different personality types – shy or bold members, aggressive or nonaggressive, sensitive or not sensitive (Sih & Bell, 2008).
Regarding highlysensitivity, researchers have focused on sensorial thresholds, that proved to be very low for individuals with this trait. Hipersenzitive people are described as more attentive and able to observe effortlessly subtle stimuli in their environment. Also, it is hard for them to ignore certain characteristics that may be irrelevant and they are easily annoyed by strong inputs, like loud sounds or high temperatures (Aron, 2010).
There has been defined a certain senzitivity towards environment, an ability to register and process information related to the context that people develop in – these characteristics help the person to react and adapt to the challenges and the opportunities associated with the environment (Pluess, 2015). Although adaptation is present for the great majority of individuals, studies suggest that there are large differences in the matter of environment senzitivity (Belsky & Pluess, 2013). This sensitivity may interfere with participation in activities, as well as social, cognitive or sensorial and motor development for children (Dunn, 2001).
At the neuronal level, fMRI studies revealed that SPS is correlated with a greater general activation for the visual areas associated with fine distinctions (Jagiellowicz et al., 2010) and in the regions responsible with consciousness, empathy, feedback to other people emotional expressions (Avecedo et al., 2014).
Differences between SPS and similar traits
SPS is comparable at a behavioral level with traits that are identified by the pause between actions – inhibition (Kagan et al., 1994), shyness (Jones et al., 1996) and introversion (Aron & Aron, 1997). Research and hipersenzitive people describing their experiences reveal that processing any type of input is more complex, so the decisions these persons make and their actions appear after a longer time, comparing to others. This is an aspect that can be assigned to inhibition, but the difference is that the inhibited persons have this type of behaviors such as delays or even lack of actions only for stimuli that they find negative (Jagiellowicz, Aron, și Aron, 2012).
Introversion was correlated with reflexivity and a thoughtful cognitive processing (Patterson et al., 1987), that are a part of the behavior of a hipersenzitive person, but the difference is their sociability – highly sensitive people are not characterized by a low sociability (Aron et al., 2010).
Autism spectrum disorders represent another category that highly sensitive children can be wrongly assigned to because of some common features of the two concepts. Children with autism spectrum disorders can be hyperactive in their interactions with tactile, visual or audio stimuli, but they also present some specific behaviors – repetitive actions, limited interests, difficulties in socialization and lack of empathy – that are not common for highly sensitive children.
SPS and the environment where children grow up and develop
Aron et al. (2005) discovered that a negative childhood environment has been associated with negative affectivity for highly sensitive people, the environment concept including parental practices and attitudes and also childhood experiences. Children with a temper considered more difficult were negatively affected by low quality parental practices and positively affected by high quality practices, compared to children with a less difficult temper, as teachers reported having in mind the social abilities of the children (Roisman et al., 2012).
Similar results have been obtained in another study where negative emotionality measured every 7 months has been associated with a high sensitivity, for both weak and strong mother-child relationships measured at 15 months old(Kim & Kochanska, 2012).
The study conducted by Pluess and Belski in 2010 showed that the baby’s temper reported by the mother at 6 months old was a predictor for the child’s sensitivity, considering the quality of parenting provided in the first 4-5 years of life.
The high level of stimulation that hipersenzitive children experience causes them distress starting from small ages, as excessive crying of very young children has been correlated with this feature of hipersenzitivity (Boterberg & Warreyn, 2016). Children that had a high level of reactivity were more prone to get sick or injured than those with a low reactivity, in stressful situations at home or at school and also in situations with a normal level of stress (Boice et al., 1995).
Aron, Aron and Davies (2005) showed that sensory processing sensitivity and unfavorable environmental childhood conditions lead to negative affectivity that can also lead to shyness in adulthood. This fear of negative evaluations from others in social interactions creates discomfort and a wish to limit this interactions, as well as anxiety and depression.
Liss, Timmel, Baxley and Killingsworth (2005) showed that sensory processing sensitivity was correlated with excessive parental protection. Parents that recognized their children’s sensitivity took over their tasks, leaving them without responsabilities and strengthening their perception of sensibility.
Taking into account all this information about the intense experiences of highly sensitive children and the effects that these experiences have on their activities, it is important that this innate trait could be identified from early ages, as it could become a protective factor, but also a risk factor for emotional problems and maladaptative behaviors for the adult period. As it was shown, both familial and scholar environments have contributions for the optimal development of the children, which implies the cooperation between parents and teachers. The people who interact with highly sensitive children should be able to properly identify them in order to be able to support them emotionally and to adapt the environmental conditions accordingly to their capacities of processing stimuli at a level that is not overwhelming for them.
References
Acevedo, B., Aron, E., Aron, A., Sangster, M., Collins, N., & Brown, L. (2014). The highly sensitive brain: an fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions. Brain And Behavior, 4(4), 580-594. doi: 10.1002/brb3.242
Acevedo B., Aron E., Pospos S., Jessen D. (2018). The functional highly sensitive brain: a review of the brain circuits underlying sensory processing sensitivity and seemingly related disorders. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 373: 20170161. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0161
Aron A., Ketay S., Hedden T., Aron E.N., Rose M.H., Gabrieli J.D.E. (2010). Temperament trait of sensory processing sensitivity moderates cultural differences in neural response. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience 5, 2-3, 219-226. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsq028
Aron, E. (2004). The highly sensitive child.
Aron, E. N. (2010). Psychotherapy and the highly sensitive person. New York: Routledge
Aron, E., & Aron, A. (1997). Sensory-processing sensitivity and its relation to introversion and emotionality. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 73(2), 345-368. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.73.2.345
Aron, E., Aron, A., & Davies, K. (2005). Adult Shyness: The Interaction of Temperamental Sensitivity and an Adverse Childhood Environment. Personality And Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(2), 181-197. doi: 10.1177/0146167204271419
Aron, E., Aron, A., & Jagiellowicz, J. (2012). Sensory Processing Sensitivity. Personality And Social Psychology Review, 16(3), 262-282. doi: 10.1177/1088868311434213
Boice, W. T., Chesney, M., Alkon, A., Tschann, J. M., Adams, S., Chesterman, B., et al. (1995). Psychobiologic reactivity to stress and childhood respiratory illnesses: Results of two prospective studies. Psychosomatic Medicine, 57, 411-422.
Belsky, J., & Pluess, M. (2013). Beyond risk, resilience, and dysregulation: Phenotypic plasticity and human development. Development And Psychopathology, 25(4pt2), 1243-1261. doi: 10.1017/s095457941300059x
Boterberg, S., & Warreyn, P. (2016). Making sense of it all: The impact of sensory processing sensitivity on daily functioning of children. Personality and Individual Differences, 92, 80-86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.12.022
Dunn, W. (2001). The sensations of everyday life: Empirical, theoretical, and pragmatic considerations. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(6), 608–620. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.55.6.608.
Jagiellowicz, J., Xu, X., Aron, A., Aron, E., Cao, G., Feng, T., & Weng, X. (2010). The trait of sensory processing sensitivity and neural responses to changes in visual scenes. Social Cognitive And Affective Neuroscience, 6(1), 38-47. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsq001
Jones, W.H., Cheek, J.M., Briggs, S.R., editors (1986). Shyness: Perspectives on Research and Treatment. New York: Plenum
Kagan, J. (1994). Galen’s prophecy: Temperament in human nature. New York: Basic Books
Kim, S., & Kochanska, G. (2012). Child Temperament Moderates Effects of Parent-Child Mutuality on Self-Regulation: A Relationship-Based Path for Emotionally Negative Infants. Child Development, 83(4), 1275-1289. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01778.x
Liss, M., Timmel, L., Baxley, K., & Killingsworth, P. (2005). Sensory processing sensitivity and its relation to parental bonding, anxiety, and depression. Personality And Individual Differences, 39(8), 1429-1439. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2005.05.007
Patterson, C.M., Kosson, D.S., Newman, J.P. (1987). Reaction to punishment, reflectivity, and passive-avoidance learning in extroverts. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 565–75.
Pluess, M. (2015). Individual Differences in Environmental Sensitivity. Child Development Perspectives, 9(3), 138-143. doi: 10.1111/cdep.12120
Pluess, M., & Belsky, J. (2010). Differential susceptibility to parenting and quality child care. Developmental Psychology, 46(2), 379-390. doi: 10.1037/a0015203
Roisman, G., Newman, D., Fraley, R., Haltigan, J., Groh, A., & Haydon, K. (2012). Distinguishing differential susceptibility from diathesis–stress: Recommendations for evaluating interaction effects. Development And Psychopathology, 24(02), 389-409. doi: 10.1017/s0954579412000065
Sih, A., Bell, A.M. (2008). Insights for behavioral ecology from behavioral syndromes. In: Brockmann, H.J., Roper, T.J., Naguib, M., WynneEdwards, K.E., Barnard, C., Mitani, J., editors. Advances in the Study of Behavior, Vol. 38, San Diego: Elsevier Academic Press, pp. 227–81
Wolf, M., van Doorn, G. S., & Weissing, F. J. (2008). Evolutionary emergence of responsive and unresponsive personalities. PNAS Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105(41), 15825-15830. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0805473105
Disclaimer
This article has been published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, issue no 5-6, 2018, on the www.expertpsy.ro website and it was presented in the Conference ASISTENȚA LOGOPEDICĂ: ACTUALITATE ȘI ORIZONTURI, at Chișinău, 22-23 November 2018 and it was posted on the blog with the consent of the authors, co-organizing the E-MOTION project.
Authors
Armand Veleanovici, PhD
He has a PhD in psychology and he is a supervisor and trainer in clinical psychology, psychological counseling, and a trained psychotherapist, also having a degree in juridic sciences. He has been concerned about child abuse and neglect even before getting his degree in psychology and since 2006 he has been working in the system of child protection.
Laura Mat
She is a clinical psychologist, training to become a psychotherapist and studying Health Psychology as her masters’ degree curricula. She has interacted with both typical children and children with neurodevelopmental disorders, during volunteering programs in NGOs and a hospital.
This Post Has 809 Comments
Just wish to say your article is as astounding.
The clearness in your post is simply great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject.
Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming
post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying
work.
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
I have read this post and if I could I desire to
suggest you some interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this
article. I wish to read more things about it!
I am curious to find out what blog platform you’re utilizing?
I’m having some minor security issues with my
latest website and I’d like to find something more
risk-free. Do you have any recommendations?
This article is actually a fastidious one it assists new the
web users, who are wishing for blogging.
When someone writes an post he/she keeps the thought of a user in his/her brain that how a user can be
aware of it. So that’s why this post is outstdanding.
Thanks!
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who had been conducting a little research on this.
And he actually ordered me lunch simply because I discovered it for him…
lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this subject here on your web page.
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
I hope to give something back and aid others like you
helped me.
I visited many websites except the audio feature for audio songs current at this
website is truly superb.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we communicate?
Awesome! Its in fact amazing post, I have got much clear idea
on the topic of from this article.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this
blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
Wow, this paragraph is good, my younger sister is analyzing these things, therefore I am going to
let know her.
Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information approximately this subject for a while and
yours is the best I have discovered so far. But, what about the bottom line?
Are you positive about the source?
I’m very pleased to find this site. I wanted to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!!
I definitely savored every bit of it and I have you saved to fav to see new
things on your web site.
Great information. Lucky me I recently found your website by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve bookmarked it for later!
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Cheers! Where
are your contact details though?
It’s difficult to find experienced people about
this topic, however, you seem like you know what
you’re talking about! Thanks
bookmarked!!, I love your blog!
I simply could not leave your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed
the usual info an individual supply for your guests?
Is gonna be back incessantly to investigate cross-check new
posts
This paragraph provides clear idea in support of the
new users of blogging, that actually how to do running a blog.
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post!
It’s the little changes that make the most significant changes.
Many thanks for sharing!
Wonderful site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed here?
I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!
Thank you for any other magnificent post. Where
else may just anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal means
of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I
am at the look for such information.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on 카지노 게임.
Regards
Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your site.
You have some really great articles and I believe I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some material for your blog
in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested.
Cheers!
where to buy chloroquine
I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but good
topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear
and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally
off topic but I had to tell someone!
Hi all, here every one is sharing such experience, therefore it’s
nice to read this website, and I used to pay a quick visit this weblog everyday.
Good article. I am going through many of these issues as well..
Hi, i believe that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to go back the
desire?.I am attempting to to find things to enhance my
web site!I guess its adequate to make use of a few of your ideas!!
Thank you, I have recently been looking for information approximately this subject
for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till
now. But, what about the bottom line? Are
you positive concerning the source?
Superb post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this
subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit
further. Kudos!
Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many options out there that I’m totally
confused .. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it’s really informative. I
am going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this
in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and
i am truly pleassant to read everthing at one place.
Actually no matter if someone doesn’t understand afterward its up to
other visitors that they will assist, so here it happens.
Great post.
For latest information you have to pay a visit the web and on internet I found this web
page as a best web page for hottest updates.
Hello, I would like to subscribe for this website
to obtain hottest updates, so where can i do it please assist.
This is a topic which is near to my heart… Best wishes!
Where are your contact details though?
Right here is the perfect webpage for everyone who really wants to find out about this topic.
You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue
with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You certainly
put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for many years.
Great stuff, just excellent!
We are a bunch of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our
community. Your website offered us with helpful info to work
on. You have performed a formidable activity and our entire group can be
grateful to you.
I could not refrain from commenting. Very well written!
There’s definately a great deal to find out about this issue.
I like all the points you have made.
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back someday.
I want to encourage that you continue your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!
Hi there to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more
from this website, and your views are good in support of new people.
Fantastic website you have here but I was wanting to know if you
knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other knowledgeable
individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Appreciate it!
Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just
sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the
whole thing. Do you have any tips and hints for beginner blog writers?
I’d genuinely appreciate it.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
kudos