highsensitivity

High sensitivity, or sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), is a personality trait characterized by heightened responsiveness to internal and external stimuli, deeper cognitive processing, and greater emotional reactivity. The construct was developed by psychologists Elaine Aron and Arthur Aron in the 1990s and is described as a continuum rather than a binary category. People who score high on SPS measures are often referred to as highly sensitive persons (HSPs).

Key features commonly associated with SPS include depth of information processing, heightened awareness of subtleties in the environment, strong emotional responses, and a lower threshold for overstimulation. HSPs may be more empathetic and perceptive of others’ moods but can also experience fatigue or overwhelm in busy or highly stimulating settings.

Prevalence estimates suggest that about 15 to 20 percent of the population falls toward the higher end of the SPS continuum, and the trait appears in both introverts and extraverts. SPS is not regarded as a disorder; rather, it is considered one of many personality variations that can influence how people experience daily life, relationships, and work. Cultural and methodological factors can affect measurement, and some researchers call for more robust validation and understanding of the trait’s biological bases.

Critics note that SPS overlaps with other constructs such as neuroticism and introversion, and emphasize caution in interpretation. In practice, recognizing high sensitivity can inform approaches to learning, parenting, and workplaces, including pacing, reducing overstimulation, providing predictable routines, and fostering supportive environments to help individuals manage sensitivity effectively.