Selfsensitivity

Selfsensitivity is a loosely defined term used in different disciplines to describe the capacity to perceive and respond to one's own internal states or to changes in those states. It is not a standardized concept with a single definition, and its exact meaning depends on the context. In psychology, it often overlaps with ideas such as self-awareness, interoception, and emotional regulation.

In psychology, selfsensitivity can refer to interoceptive awareness—the ability to notice internal bodily signals like heart rate or breathing—and to metacognitive awareness of one's thoughts and feelings. It supports self-regulation and adaptive decision making when balanced, but excessive sensitivity can contribute to rumination, anxiety, or heightened self-criticism.

In technology and engineering, the term appears in contexts describing systems that monitor their own state and adjust sensitivity accordingly. Self-sensing or self-calibrating sensors use internal diagnostics to maintain performance, for example by adapting gain, noise rejection, or calibration without external input.

Measurement of selfsensitivity in humans often involves tasks that assess interoceptive accuracy, such as heartbeat perception tests, and scales that measure emotional awareness and self-reflection. In design, evaluation focuses on the usability of self-monitoring features and the balance between helpful feedback and information overload.

See also

- Self-awareness

- Interoception

- Metacognition

- Emotional regulation

- Sensor calibration

- Self-monitoring