Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS)
Measures sensation seeking based on the dimensions of novelty and intensity, emphasizing cognitive and sensory preferences rather than antisocial or risky behaviors.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS) was developed by Jeffrey Arnett (1994). It is designed to measure Sensation Seeking. The scale is intended for use with Adolescents and adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 20 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Novelty, Intensity.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Novelty | 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19 | 10 |
| Intensity | 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20 | 10 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Does not describe me at all, 2 = Does not describe me very well, 3 = Describes me somewhat, 4 = Describes me very well.
The scale includes 6 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 20 to 80. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Sensation Seeking: 20 – 39
- Moderate Sensation Seeking: 40 – 59
- High Sensation Seeking: 60 – 80
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha typically ranges from 0.50 to 0.70 for the subscales..
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.