Sensation Seeking , Achievement Motivation & the Trait Theories of Personality.

Homework Week5 Psychology

1. Take a look at the material on sensation seeking on page 286 (Ch. 11). Do you consider yourself a sensation seeker? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of your level of sensation seeking?

Answer:

Zuckerman, 1994, wrote about sensation seeking : ‘‘a trait defined by the seeking of varied, novel, complex, and Intense sensations and experiences, and the willingness to take physical, social, legal, and financial risks for the sake of such experience’’ ( p. 27). I would absolutely not consider myself a sensation seeker according to this definition. I get bored easily, but have had no desire to seek the thrill of great velocities, upside-down suspensions and other dangerous activities. I enjoy experiencing new things providing that it is safe, comfortable and controllable to do so; I am not much a risk taker as all people who know me said. They have only seen me I carrying out difficult tasks, but they did not know I did so each time in a special situation. The task is a “must do” as I weigh – and it must provide me with a clear outcome- money for instance. Am I like an excitement seeker who craves an experience merely for the sake of that experience?

I think my level of sensation seeking is somehow average which has both advantages and disadvantages. It lets me live life to the fullest in such way as to embrace new challenges and reap rewards. Concurrently it makes me thrive to take risks and overlook a little potential danger, which may later cause me to reconsider. Yet the major disadvantage is problems in my personal relationships as my spouse and parents have not always supported my decisions, at least not until I get the rewards of success. Even so, I accept everyone the same way I accept myself including my average level of sensation seeking with its advantages and disadvantages as I have told.

2. How would you rate your own achievement motivation? Why? In what ways is this an advantage to...