Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-16) Test

Learn how strongly you seek novelty and risk and how you handle boredom in about 3 minutes. Get a quick profile to support coaching, research, or prevention planning.

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Questions: 163 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

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2,779 completions

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Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

13/16

Sensation Seeking (SS)

Measures how strongly a person seeks novelty, intense sensations, and risk-taking experiences.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 5: Low | 6 – 10: Moderate | 11 – 16: High

A score of 13 falls in the High range, suggesting a pronounced preference for new, stimulating experiences and a greater willingness to accept risk or uncertainty to obtain them.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Curious self-explorers

41%OF USERS

People who want to understand whether they get energized by novelty and intense emotions or prefer stability and predictability.

Psychologists and coaches

34%OF USERS

Specialists who use a quick screener to discuss a client’s tolerance for boredom, appetite for new experiences, and tendency toward risk.

Researchers and educators

25%OF USERS

Those running studies or trainings who need a fast way to profile sensation seeking and relate it to behavior under stress or in unusual situations.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

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Used in 52+ countries

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Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS)

Average

11.5

Normal range

9.5 — 13.5

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures the tendency to seek novelty, intense sensations, and emotionally stimulating experiences. It also reflects comfort with routine and willingness to take risks for stimulation.

How is the questionnaire completed?

Each item presents two statements describing different styles of behavior. Select the statement that fits better overall, even if neither is a perfect match.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

It includes 16 items. Typical completion time is about 3 minutes.

How should scores be interpreted?

Higher scores indicate a stronger preference for varied, stimulating experiences and greater readiness for risk under some conditions. Lower scores indicate a stronger preference for predictability and lower interest in high-intensity stimulation.

What limitations should be considered?

Some shortened and translated forms differ across sources and may not align fully with the original scale structure. Results should be interpreted cautiously when used outside populations with established validation data.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-16) Test - Symptoms and Signs

search for sensations

This brief self-report measure assesses individual differences in the preference for novel, varied, and intense experiences and the willingness to take risks for such experiences. The Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-16) is commonly used in personality and behavioral research to characterize sensation-seeking tendencies.

It consists of 16 items and typically requires about 3 minutes to complete. Items are presented in a forced-choice format in which respondents select between paired statements that reflect relatively cautious versus more adventurous behavioral preferences.

Developed by Zuckerman, M., the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-16) yields an estimate of sensation-seeking propensity that may be considered when interpreting patterns related to risk-taking and related behaviors. Interpretation should take into account the specific version and language form used, as psychometric support may vary across adaptations.

Author: Zuckerman, M.

Literature: Zuckerman, M. Sensation seeking: Beyond the optimal level of arousal. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 1979.; Arnett, J. J. Sensation seeking: A new conceptualization and a new scale. Personality and Individual Differences. 1994.; Hoyle, R. H., Stephenson, M. T., Palmgreen, P., Lorch, E. P., & Donohew, R. L. Reliability and validity of a brief measure of sensation seeking. Personality and Individual Differences. 2002.

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