Marvin Zuckerman facts for kids

Marvin Zuckerman (born March 21, 1928, in Chicago, died November 8, 2018) was a famous psychology professor. He taught at the University of Delaware.

Professor Zuckerman was best known for his research into how our brains and bodies affect our personalities. He also studied 'sensory deprivation' and 'sensation seeking.' His work was inspired by other great psychologists like Hans Eysenck and Arnold Buss.

Becoming a Psychologist

Marvin Zuckerman earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1954. He studied at New York University. After finishing his studies, he worked at a hospital in Connecticut.

There, he helped assess people's personalities. He also created a tool called the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List. This tool helped measure feelings like anxiety, sadness, and anger.

Research on Sensation Seeking

While working at the hospital, Zuckerman researched anxiety. He also looked into 'sensory deprivation.' This is when someone has very little sensory input, like sight or sound.

His research led him to create the well-known Sensation Seeking Scale. In 1969, he joined the University of Delaware. He spent over 30 years teaching and researching there.

His studies showed that sensation seeking is a major part of our personality. It is based on our biology. He also worked with other famous scientists in England. They found that being impulsive and seeking sensations often go together.

What is Sensation Seeking?

Sensation seeking is a personality trait. It describes people who look for new and exciting experiences. These experiences are often "varied, novel, complex, and intense."

Zuckerman developed this idea while at the University of Delaware. His research led him to create the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). This tool helps measure how much stimulation a person needs.

Optimal Arousal

Zuckerman believed that people who are high sensation seekers need a lot of excitement. They need this to reach their Optimal Level of Arousal. This means they need a certain amount of stimulation to feel good.

If they don't get enough stimulation, they might feel bored or uncomfortable. Zuckerman thought that sensation seeking is a "core trait." This means it's a basic part of human personality. It is separate from other traits like being outgoing or shy.

Later Life

Marvin Zuckerman retired in September 2002. He was 74 years old. He lived in Philadelphia. Even after retiring, he continued to write articles and books. He revised his book Psychobiology of Personality. He also wrote new books about sensation seeking and personality science. He continued this work until shortly before his death in 2018.