High sensitivity - current scientific knowledge
Lecture and discussion in the Goldbekhaus with Prof. Dr. Philipp Yorck Herzberg
High sensitivity is a trait present in 20-30% of people. The terms Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) were coined by Dr. Elaine Aaron in the 1990s. They describe heightened receptivity to sensory and emotional stimuli and deeper processing of information.
In a study, Konrad and Herzberg (2017) showed that SPS can be described by three factors:
Easy excitability: Easily overstimulated by sensory or emotional stimuli.
Aesthetic sensitivity: The special responsiveness to art, nature and beauty.
Low perception threshold: Increased sensitivity to external stimuli such as light or noise.
The term "high sensitivity" used in German is somewhat misleading in this context, as it refers, on the one hand, to increased "sensitivity," i.e., a heightened ability to perceive. On the other hand, it involves not only an increased receptivity to external stimuli such as noise, light, smells, etc., but also a different way of processing the information received.
As a result of her systematic research, the American scientist Dr. Elaine Aaron designed the first self-test questionnaire in the late 1990s, from which further variants were developed.
Based on new findings, an updated questionnaire was developed in 2024 that addresses the topic in an even more balanced way. The lecture will address the current scientific findings on high sensitivity.
A completely new, more comprehensive questionnaire has recently been developed by Prof. Véronique de Gucht (Leiden University). The questionnaire was translated into German by Prof. Herzberg. To verify whether there are country-specific differences, the questionnaire is already available for use. The questionnaire, along with an explanatory interview with Véronique de Gucht, can be found on the High Sensitivity Research Area website under "Tips and Links."
Prof. Dr. Philipp Yorck Herzberg holds the chair for Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment at the Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg (since 2012). His research focuses on personality psychology and psychological assessment. Together with his team, he examines the phenomenon of high sensitivity from a scientific perspective.
