Sensory-Processing Sensitivity and Nonverbal Decoding: The Effect on Listening Ability and Accuracy

Abstract

Sensory-processing sensitivity (Aron & Aron, 1997) is a broad temperament construct consisting of two orthogonal dimensions, including deep processing of sensory information (manifest in a tendency to notice fine details) and a low threshold for arousal (exhibited as rapid irritability). This article investigates the multiple effects of sensory-processing sensitivity on nonverbal decoding, specifically identifying emotions from paralinguistic cues. High sensitivity is predicted to relate to enhanced accuracy. Additionally, participants are exposed to stimulation to examine whether arousal relates to deficits in accuracy. Results indicate no significant differences in decoding between sensitive and nonsensitive persons, regardless of the presence of stimulation.

Notes

¹Time and logistic limitations prohibited the collection of a large enough sample size to yield the recommended number of highly sensitive participants. Data were collected for a total of 120 hours over two academic semesters and six weeks during summer course offerings.

²A number of subsequent studies have suggested a shortened 18-item measure (Ahadi & Basharpoor, 2010; Evans & Rothbart, 2008; Evers et al., 2008).

³The presentation of histograms in listening research has been previously advocated by Keaton and Bodie (2013).