abstract: Criminological theories have long incorporated personality traits as key explanatory factors and have generally relied on assumptions of trait stability. However, growing evidence from a variety of fields including criminology, psychology, and neurobiology is demonstrating that personality traits are malleable over the life-course, and substantial individual variation exists in the developmental patterns of personality traits over time. This research is forcing criminologists to consider how and why “enduring” individual characteristics may change over the life course in ways that are meaningfully related to offending. Two traits that have been consistently linked to offending and conflated in key criminological theories (i.e. Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control theory), impulsivity and sensation seeking, have recently been shown to be independent personality traits with different normative maturational timetables and biological underpinnings. This dissertation extends this work by examining developmental patterns of impulsivity and sensation seeking and social sources of variation in these traits with the Family and Community Health Survey, a longitudinal data set that consists of approximately 900 African American youth and their families followed from late childhood to their late-twenties. Multiple longitudinal modeling methods are employed (hierarchical linear modeling and group-based trajectory modeling) to address this research agenda. Results from this dissertation lead to four broad conclusions. First, and in support of existing research, there is substantial variability in developmental trajectories of impulsivity and sensation seeking. Average developmental trajectories of these traits greatly mask the degree of individual variability in developmental patterns that exists. Second, social factors are significantly associated with levels of impulsivity and sensation seeking. Socio-environmental experiences characterized by hostility and unsupportiveness are generally associated with elevated levels of impulsivity and sensation seeking while socio-environmental experiences characterized by warmth and supportiveness are associated with lower levels of impulsivity and sensation seeking. Third, sex differences in developmental patterns of impulsivity are nonexistent while sex differences in developmental patterns of sensation seeking are significant. Finally, with few exceptions, predictors of trait levels operate in a general fashion such the same factors typically explain both male and female trait levels and produce similar effects on impulsivity and sensation seeking. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Criminology and Criminal Justice 2019

The aim of this study was to examine the association between personality and risk taking in a sample of 461 older adults from the Charlotte County Healthy Aging Study (CCHAS). The personality factors of openness to experience, extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness and conscientiousness were measured with the NEO Five Factor Inventory. Risk-taking was measured with an 8-item questionnaire and a single-item question that assessed subjects' participation in sensation seeking behaviors. Spearman correlation coefficients, hierarchical linear regression and hierarchical logistic regression were used to assess the association. As consistent with past research, high scores on openness to experience (beta = 0.16, P<.0001) and low scores on neuroticism (β = -0.14, P<.01) and agreeableness (β = -0.16, P<.01) were associated with the total score of the 8-item risk taking questionnaire. The single-item risk question was also associated with openness [OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05-1.13], neuroticism [OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.97] and agreeableness [OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92-0.99]. After stratifying by gender, only openness was still significantly associated with risk-taking. Interaction terms including gender and personality factors were added to the models to test if gender was an effect modifier. Although personality differences existed between men and women, none of the interaction terms were statistically significant.

Texting is ubiquitous; the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry reported that 4.1 billion text messages were sent per day in the first half of 2009. In isolation, texting does not injure individuals; however, when combined with driving, lives have changed for the worse. The National Safety Council estimates that 1.6 million crashes per year can be attributed to distracted drivers either talking on cell phones or texting while driving and nearly 28 percent of all crashes in the United States can be ascribed to these behaviors. An increasing number of texting while driving fear appeal campaigns are being utilized in the media. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to create and test theoretically-based messages aimed at discouraging texting while driving. Formative research along with the Extended Parallel Process Model was used for guidance in the creation of the fear appeal messages. No low threat message was used for the main study after repeated message validations failed. For the study, three high threat messages varied only by a single paragraph which targeted beliefs about benefits, mastery, and ubiquity of texting while driving. 155 undergraduates at Texas A & M University completed a pretest, read the high threat message, and answered a posttest. Need for cognition and sensation seeking tendencies were measured in order to understand the effects such personality traits have on message perceptions. Five major outcomes were revealed even though numerous hypotheses were unsupported. There was a significant interaction between perceived threat and sensation seeking tendencies on message realism. There was a significant interaction between perceived threat and need for cognition on message realism. There was a significant interaction between perceived threat and need for cognition on message accuracy. There was a significant interaction between perceived threat and need for cognition on attitudes. There was a significant positive correlation between perceived threat and perceived message sensation value. This project provides support that sensation seeking tendencies and need for cognition do interacted with perceived threat on perceptions of message effectiveness and that perceived message sensation value was positively related to perceived threat. Results also revealed the prevalence of texting while driving behavior and relationships between personality traits and texting while driving. Sensation seeking tendencies were positively correlated with initiating text messages while driving. Need for cognition was negatively correlated with reading and replying to text messages while driving.

Är dykare spänningssökare? Är män mer spänningssökande än kvinnor? 51 dykare, 27 män och 24 kvinnor, läts fylla i enkäten Sensation seeking scale version 5 (SSS-V). Sensation seeking scale har utvecklats av Marvin Zuckerman med kollegor sedan 1960-talet och mäter graden av spänningssökande personlighetsdrag, på engelska: sensation seeking. Enkäten har visat sig valid på flera hundra studier men har bara testats på dykare ett fåtal gånger. Hypoteserna är att dykare är mer spänningssökande än normalpopulationen (H1) och att dykande män är mer spänningssökande än dykande kvinnor (H2). Kontrollgruppen består av psykologistudenter från Delware University mellan år 1986 och 1992, 410 män och 807 kvinnor. Resultatet visar med statistisk signifikant säkerhet att dykare är mer spänningssökande än normalpopulationen och att dykande män är mer spänningssökande än dykande kvinnor. Validitet och alternativ till Sensation seeking scale m.m. tas upp i diskussionsdelen.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between job satisfaction, birth order and sensation seeking. The sample consisted of 179 jobholders in four different organizations in southern Sweden, with an average age of 44 years (SD = 12,12). A questionnaire consisting of three parts was used to map out and measure the participants’ family background, birth order, job satisfaction and sensation seeking. The study showed no significant relationship between birth order and job satisfaction (p = 0,127). Furthermore, the study showed a significant relationship between sensation seeking and job satisfaction (p = 0,025). Finally the analyses showed that laterborns had a significantly higher score on the sensation seeking scale, used in the questionnaire, than firstborns (p = 0,015). The study concludes that sensation seeking is a significant factor when it comes to prediction of job satisfaction. / SAMMANFATTNING Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka huruvida det fanns ett samband mellan arbetstillfredsställelse och syskonplacering, med hänsyn taget till spänningssökande. Stickprovet bestod av 179 arbetstagare inom fyra organisationer i södra Sverige med en medelålder på 44 år (SD = 12,12). Instrumentet som användes för insamling av data bestod av en enkät med tre delar. Dessa delar kartlade och mätte deltagarnas familjebakgrund, syskonplacering, arbetstillfredsställelse och spänningssökande. Studien visade att det inte fanns något samband mellan syskonplacering och arbetstillfredsställelse (p = 0,127). Vidare visade studien att individer med ett högt mått av spänningssökande upplevde högre arbetstillfredsställelse än individer med ett lågt mått av spänningssökande (p = 0,025). Slutligen framkom det att yngrebarn hade ett högre mått av spänningssökande än individer med en annan placering i syskonskaran (p = 0,015). Spänningssökande är alltså av vikt när det kommer till tillfredsställelse på arbetet.

<p>ABSTRACT</p><p>The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between job satisfaction, birth order and sensation seeking. The sample consisted of 179 jobholders in four different organizations in southern Sweden, with an average age of 44 years (SD = 12,12). A questionnaire consisting of three parts was used to map out and measure the participants’ family background, birth order, job satisfaction and sensation seeking. The study showed no significant relationship between birth order and job satisfaction (p = 0,127). Furthermore, the study showed a significant relationship between sensation seeking and job satisfaction (p = 0,025). Finally the analyses showed that laterborns had a significantly higher score on the sensation seeking scale, used in the questionnaire, than firstborns (p = 0,015). The study concludes that sensation seeking is a significant factor when it comes to prediction of job satisfaction.</p> / <p>SAMMANFATTNING</p><p>Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka huruvida det fanns ett samband mellan arbetstillfredsställelse och syskonplacering, med hänsyn taget till spänningssökande. Stickprovet bestod av 179 arbetstagare inom fyra organisationer i södra Sverige med en medelålder på 44 år (SD = 12,12). Instrumentet som användes för insamling av data bestod av en enkät med tre delar. Dessa delar kartlade och mätte deltagarnas familjebakgrund, syskonplacering, arbetstillfredsställelse och spänningssökande. Studien visade att det inte fanns något samband mellan syskonplacering och arbetstillfredsställelse (p = 0,127). Vidare visade studien att individer med ett högt mått av spänningssökande upplevde högre arbetstillfredsställelse än individer med ett lågt mått av spänningssökande (p = 0,025). Slutligen framkom det att yngrebarn hade ett högre mått av spänningssökande än individer med en annan placering i syskonskaran (p = 0,015). Spänningssökande är alltså av vikt när det kommer till tillfredsställelse på arbetet.</p>

Impulsive personality traits have been found to be robust predictors of substance use and problems in both cross-sectional and longitudinal research. Studies examining the relations of substance use and impulsive personality over time indicate bidirectional effects, where substance use is also predictive of increases in later impulsive personality. The mechanism(s) accounting for the impact of substance use on later personality remain unknown. The present study sought to explore the bidirectional relations of alcohol use with the impulsive personality traits over three time points, and to examine two potential mechanisms that could account for the impact of alcohol use on personality: the development of alcohol-related problems and social norms for substance use. Participants were 525 college students (48.0% male, 81.1% Caucasian), who completed self-report measures assessing personality traits and a structured interview assessing past and current substance use. Data collection took place at three different time points: the first occurred during participants’ first year of college (T1), and follow-ups took place approximately one-year (T2) and two-years (T3) later. Bidirectional relations were examined using structural equation modeling to control for the relations among the variables of interest within time points and the stability of the variables across time. T1 sensation seeking and lack of premeditation predicted higher levels of alcohol use at T3, and T1 alcohol use predicted higher levels of all three impulsive traits at T3. T2 friend norms for drug use were found to significantly mediate the relation between T1 alcohol use and T3 sensation seeking, and T2 alcohol problems were found to significantly mediate the relation between T1 alcohol use and T3 negative urgency. Findings provide greater resolution in characterizing the bidirectional relation between impulsive personality traits and substance use, and demonstrate that sensation seeking and negative urgency are impacted through distinct mechanisms.

Introduction: Consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has become a growing and popular trend among young adults worldwide. Although there have been some mixed findings, generally AmED use is associated with heavy drinking, risky behaviours and more negative outcomes, compared to alcohol use alone. Little research has been done outside of college samples and few researchers have investigated motivations for consuming AmED. Purpose: The purpose of the current research was to expand on previous research by investigating motivations for AmED use and the associations between AmED use and heavy drinking, alcohol use disorders, risky behaviours, and negative outcomes in community samples, while controlling for potentially important third variables, like sensation seeking. Methods: Using multivariate regression analyses the associations between AmED use and other variables were investigated in a randomly selected Canadian sample (n = 13,615) and a Canadian community young adult sample (n = 456). As well, an in-depth qualitative investigation of university students’ (n = 465) reported motivations for AmED and energy drink use was investigated using content analysis. Results: Compared to alcohol only, AmED use was found to be associated with heavy alcohol use, increased risk for alcohol use disorders, and increased risky behaviours and negative consequences (e.g., being a passenger in a vehicle with a drunk driver; drinking and driving; being involved in physical aggression; having harmful effects on relationships, health, employment) in both the Canadian and community samples. More frequent AmED use (e.g., weekly or more) was associated with ever having had a sexually transmitted infection. These relationships remained significant even after controlling for demographic variables and sensation seeking personality in the Canadian community sample. The most commonly reported motivations for AmED use were due to the taste of the beverage, enjoyment of a particular AmED (e.g., Jagerbomb), for increased stimulation (e.g., wakefulness, energy, alertness) while drinking, to facilitate “partying” or staying out late when drinking, to counteract the depressant effects of alcohol, for social purposes, and because of ease of availability (e.g., purchased by others/ given for free). Conclusions: This research has contributed to a better understanding of the relationships between AmED use and personality traits, drinking behaviours, and risk behaviours in two relatively large community samples. It has contributed to a better understanding of the motivations for AmED use and how these motivations may be related to heavy drinking and risky behaviours. Taken together, this research indicates that there may be something about AmED use which puts people at an increased risk of drinking heavily, engaging in risky behaviours, and experiencing harms, compared to alcohol use alone. Along with the accumulating research in this area, the current research could be valuable for directing and planning future research studies which are designed to investigate causative relationships and for formulating effective policies and intervention programs. / Graduate / 0621 / 0573 / kbrache@uvic.ca

I propose two new theories to explain the consumption of aversive experiences: valence conversion and the hedonic equation. The principle of valence conversion asserts that discrete emotions that share a similar set of cognitive appraisals and level of arousal, but are of opposite valence, can be quickly converted from one to the other contingent on internal cognitions, goals and cues from the environment. I propose that fear and excitement meet these conditions; thus, an aversive stimulus that is not too extreme as to prevent the activation of goals related to positive affect can also be interpreted as exciting. The hedonic equation postulates that across four time points (anticipatorily, in the moment, residually, and remembered), if the sum of excitement is greater than the sum of fear, an individual will choose to re-consume an aversive stimuli while controlling for other non-emotive motivations. These two theories together explain why some individuals willingly consume aversive experiences, even if at some points they are unpleasant. / 2019-07-28

[pt] A percepção de risco na compra online é tida como um fator importante que restringe a velocidade de expansão do comércio eletrônico. A reserva de um hotel, em si já percebida como arriscada pela dominância intangível do serviço, tem sido apontada como gerando ainda mais insegurança quando realizada pelo site próprio do hotel. Características de personalidade, como a busca de sensações, podem levar alguns consumidores a evitar um canal de marketing que traga percepção de maior risco. Este estudo procurou compreender o papel da busca de sensações na escolha, pelos consumidores, do canal para fazer a reserva de um hotel. Para isso, conduziu-se um survey em uma amostra de 3.600 pessoas que fizeram reserva em hotéis do Rio de Janeiro, entre setembro de 2009 e fevereiro de 2010. Metade da amostra fez a reserva através do site próprio do hotel, enquanto que a outra metade utilizou outros canais para efetivar a reserva (telefone, agências e operadores de turismo, ou serviços GDS, como Expedia). Os resultados identificam as dimensões do risco percebido relevantes nesta situação de compra, bem como as diferenças de escolha entre consumidores em função do nível (alto ou baixo) de seu nível de busca de sensações. / [en] The risk perception in buying online is seen as an important factor that restricts the speed of electronic commerce expansion. The hotel booking, as itself, is perceived as risky by the intangible dominance of service, it has been identified as generating further uncertainty when performed by the hotel s own website. Personality traits such as sensation seeking, may lead some consumers to avoid a marketing channel that brings increased perceived risk. This study sought to understand the role of sensation seeking in the choice, by the channel consumers, to book a hotel. For this, we conducted a survey in a sample of 3,600 people who have booked hotels in Rio de Janeiro, between September 2009 and February 2010. Half of the sample made a booking through the hotel s own site, while the other half used other channels to book it (telephone, agencies and tour operators, GDS or services such as Expedia). The results identify which perceived risk dimensions are relevant in this buying situation, as well as differences in the choice among consumers according to the level (high or low) level of sensation seeking.