Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (Arnett, 1994)

Abstract

The Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS), developed by Jeffrey Arnett in 1994, is a self-report psychometric scale designed to measure individual differences in the tendency toward Sensation Seeking. Unlike earlier measures, the AISS was specifically conceptualized to capture expressions of sensation seeking relevant to the unique developmental stage of adolescence and emerging adulthood, focusing on behaviors such as novelty, intensity, and risk-taking. Consisting of 20 items, the AISS is widely used in research concerning personality, risk behavior, and developmental psychology.

Keywords

Sensation Seeking, Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking, AISS, Risk-Taking, Novelty Seeking, Personality Psychology, Adolescent Behavior, Psychometric Assessment.

Authors

Jeffrey Arnett

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS) is to quantify the individual propensity to seek varied, novel, complex, and intense sensations and experiences. This scale aims to provide a reliable measure that is particularly sensitive to the lifestyle and decision-making processes characteristic of young people, often correlating high scores with engagement in risky or unconventional behaviors.

The scale was developed as an alternative conceptualization to existing measures, seeking to better predict real-world risk behaviors observed during late adolescence and early Emerging Adulthood. It serves as a valuable tool for researchers studying developmental transitions and the etiology of health-risk behaviors.

Construct

The AISS measures the psychological construct of Sensation Seeking. This construct is defined as the trait characterized by the pursuit of novel and intense experiences, often involving physical, social, legal, or financial risks. While related to Zuckerman’s earlier work, Arnett’s conceptualization emphasizes the behavioral manifestation of the trait in contexts common to young adults, such as travel, extreme sports, and social rule-breaking.

The scale items are designed to capture a broad range of experiences, suggesting a potentially unitary underlying trait, although subsequent factor analytic studies have explored both single-factor and multi-factor models. The core of the construct remains the willingness to engage in stimulating and potentially risky activities rather than conservative or predictable routines.

Validity

The validity of the AISS has been explored through various academic studies, demonstrating strong construct validity. It typically shows significant correlations with other established measures of risk-taking and impulsivity, confirming that it measures the intended trait. Furthermore, the scale exhibits criterion validity by successfully predicting real-world outcomes, such as substance use, reckless driving, and engagement in unconventional sexual behaviors among adolescent and young adult populations.

Studies comparing the AISS to the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (ZSSS) often confirm overlapping constructs while highlighting unique variance captured by the AISS, particularly related to novelty and intensity within modern youth culture. The structural validity has been examined through confirmatory factor analysis, such as the study by Haynes, Miles, and Clements, which tested the fit of various models, reinforcing the scale’s structural integrity.

Reliability

The Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking generally exhibits acceptable to good internal consistency. Across various studies utilizing different adolescent and emerging adult samples, the Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient typically falls within the range of .70 to .85, indicating that the items reliably measure a unified underlying construct. Test-retest reliability, assessed over short intervals, also tends to be high, suggesting that the AISS measures a stable personality trait over time.

Factor Analysis

The initial conceptualization of the AISS aimed to provide a potentially more concise and perhaps single-factor measure of Sensation Seeking compared to the multi-dimensional ZSSS. However, subsequent research has often explored the factor structure in detail. The study titled “A confirmatory factor analysis of two models of sensation seeking” by Caroline A. Haynes, Jeremy N.V. Miles, and Keith Clements specifically investigated the structural validity of the AISS and the ZSSS.

This research utilized advanced statistical techniques to determine the best fit for the scale data, testing whether a single global factor or a more complex, multi-factor model (e.g., separating items related to experience seeking vs. thrill seeking) provided a superior explanation of the variance. Findings from such studies are crucial for confirming the scale’s theoretical structure and guiding its appropriate use in research.

Instrument

Test Type:

Self-report psychometric inventory.

Format:

Typically a 20-item scale utilizing a forced-choice dichotomous format (True/False or Yes/No) or a short Likert-type scale (e.g., 4-point agreement scale).

Language Available:

English (Original). Widely translated and adapted for use in numerous international studies.

Population Group:

Individuals, primarily adolescents and young adults.

Age Group:

Typically utilized with individuals aged 15 through the late twenties, corresponding to the developmental periods of adolescence and Emerging Adulthood.

Population Details:

Developed to be culturally relevant to modern Western youth, focusing on experiences and behavioral contexts specific to this demographic.

Test Methodology:

The scale is administered via paper-and-pencil or electronically. Responses are scored by summing up the Sensation Seeking responses, yielding a total score that reflects the overall level of the trait.

Keywords

Psychological Assessment, Personality Psychology, Arnett, Risk Behavior, Adolescent Development, Psychometrics, Inventory.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier:

N/A (Not provided in source material).

Affiliation Email addresses:

N/A (Correspondence email for primary author Jeffrey Arnett not provided).

Correspondence Address:

Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Derby, Chevin Avenue, Mickleover, Derby DE3 5GX, UK (Address for Haynes, Miles, & Clements confirmatory factor analysis study).

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale was published in 1994, with the primary publication appearing in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. Academic researchers generally use the AISS freely for non-commercial purposes, citing the original publication. Commercial use or adaptation may require permission from the copyright holder, typically the publisher (Elsevier).

Test Year: 1994.

A related academic paper discussing the confirmatory factor analysis of two models of sensation seeking, including the AISS, can be downloaded here: http://www.jeremymiles.co.uk/mestuff/publications/p8.pdf

Reference’s

• Arnett, J. (1994). Sensation seeking: a new scale and a new conceptualisation. Personality and Individual Differences, 16(2), 289–296.
• Haynes, C. A., Miles, J. N. V., & Clements, K. (Year not provided in source). A confirmatory factor analysis of two models of sensation seeking. Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Derby.

Items of the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (Arnett‚ 1994)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. I can see how it would be interesting to marry someone from a foreign country.
2. When the water is very cold‚ I prefer not to swim even if it is a hot day.
3. If I have to wait a long time‚ I’m usually patient about it.
4. When I listen to music‚ I like it to be loud.
5. When taking a trip‚ I think it is best to make as few plans as possible and just take it as it comes.
6. I stay away from movies that are said to be frightening or highly suspenseful.
7. I think it’s fun and exciting to perform or speak before a group.
8. If I were to go to an amusement park‚ I would prefer to ride the rollercoaster or other fast rides.
9. I would like to travel to places that are strange and far away.
10. I would never like to gamble with money‚ even if I could afford it.
11. I would have enjoyed being one of the first explorers of an unknown land.
12. I like a movie where there are a lot of explosions and car chases.
13. I don’t like extremely hot and spicy food.
14. In general‚ I work better when I’m under pressure.
15. I often like to have the T.V. on while I’m doing something else‚ such as reading or cleaning up.
16. It would be interesting to see a car accident happen.
17. I think it’s best to order something familiar when eating in a restaurant.
18. I like the feeling of standing next to the edge on a high place and looking down.
19. If it were possible to visit another planet or the moon for free‚ I would be among the first to sign up.
20. I can see how it must be exciting to be in a battle during a war.