ABSTRACT
The first part of the chapter discusses attempts to test the optimal level of arousal theory of sensation seeking. The first attempt was to measure the relationships between magnitude of arousal (skin conductance changes) in reactions to designs and reported affective reactions to these designs. This approach proving inconclusive, studies were done ofthe relative preferences for stimulant and depressant drugs among high-and low-sensation seekers in drug-using samples. The results of these studies were also inconclusive or weak. A study was done of the effects of stimulant and depressant drugs on the mood and performance of high-and low-sensation seekers in a normal population. This study yielded less ambiguous results that were damaging to the optimal level of arousal theory of sensation seeking.
