What is a Highly Sensitive Person?

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) and the highly sensitive person (HSP) trait affect a significant fraction of the population, but these concepts are not widely recognized among the general population, even by those who fit into this group. This post is designed to provide an overview of the concept of sensitivity and discuss how the quality of being a highly sensitive person can manifest itself when engaging life’s challenges.

The term sensitivity refers to the degree to which people perceive and process what they experience. People are constantly collecting sensory input from their environment using their five senses, and then cognitively processing the information they receive. As a basic human trait, all people are sensitive to a certain extent, but there is considerable variation among humans in the degree. Sensitivity can be thought of as a spectrum, ranging from people with low sensitivity to those with moderate levels of sensitivity and those with high sensitivity. More sensitive people are more strongly influenced and affected by what they experience —both positively and negatively.

And it’s not just a human trait: differences in the degree of sensitivity have also been observed in a wide range of non-human species as well. This finding suggests that sensitivity to external stimuli has a basis in biological evolution. Growing evidence from evolutionary biology indicates that many personality differences in nonhuman species involve being more or less responsive, reactive, flexible, or sensitive to the environment. Evolutionarily, high sensitivity to the environment can confer survival advantage in certain situations, but not necessarily all.

Humans’ ability to perceive and process information about their environment differs according to neurobiological differences in their brain. These differences are partially explained by genetic variation. While sensitivity does have a genetic basis, it is influenced by a large and complex array of interacting genes, rather than being controlled by one single gene. Similar to many other common human traits, sensitivity is affected by a large number of genes, each of which plays a small part in how sensitivity arises in an individual.

Research has shown that sensitivity is shaped not only by genetics, but also by the complicated interplay between a person’s genetic profile and their life experiences. Researchers estimate that about half of the differences in human sensitivity along the spectrum can be explained by genetics, and half are accounted for by environmental factors.

Sensitivity develops starting in the womb and can be observed even in infants. For example, more sensitive babies tend to become upset more easily, cry more frequently, and take a longer period to recover after being upset. Also, sensitive babies are more reactive, more easily overstimulated, more afraid of strangers and are more cautious in new environments and unfamiliar situations.

Studies on sensitivity suggest that adverse events in childhood can contribute to heightened sensitivity in adolescence and adulthood, particularly in those individuals who are genetically predisposed to being more sensitive. Additional research aimed at a creating a better understanding of how sensitivity develops and changes over time is needed.

People on highest part of the sensitivity spectrum are said to have Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) or to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). SPS/HSP is not considered to be a mental health condition, an illness, a disorder or a diagnosis. It is a neutral trait that evolved in about 20% of the human population.

HSPs, or those with sensory process sensitivity, process information (stimuli) more thoroughly than others do. As Dr. Elaine Aron, scholar of SPS, explains it, “HSPs process stimuli in a highly organized, ‘big-picture’ way, which includes awareness of nuances and subtleties that others might not notice.” This ability can have advantages in certain situations, but can also lead to overstimulation. So while highly sensitive people process information more deeply, they tend to get more easily overwhelmed in highly stimulating or chaotic environments.

HSPs tend to be very sensitive to others’ emotions and to have strong emotional responses themselves. They are also very perceptive, have vivid imaginations and have a strong appreciation for beauty. Because they are prone to feel over-stimulated, HSPs tend to require and desire quiet time alone.

Because highly sensitive people process information more deeply, they tend to become more easily overwhelmed when exposed to very stimulating or chaotic environments. This can lead to the perception that sensitive people are somehow less robust or resilient, especially among people who are unaware of the differences in sensory processing among the population. The extent to which sensitivity is seen as a strength or weakness is also influenced by culture. In some cultural groups, for example, shyness and cautiousness is viewed generally as undesirable, while in other cultures, those qualities are more respected and appreciated.

There are many positive aspects of being an HSP. Studies suggest that highly sensitive people tend to have a heightened ability to feel and show empathy toward others. This often leads to a particularly well-developed understanding of interpersonal relationships and an adeptness at perceiving other people’s feelings. HSPs also tend to more aware of subtleties in their environment and can tune into details more easily than less sensitive people. As a result of their qualities, highly sensitive people tend to make successful counselors, artists, advisers, coaches and scientists. And importantly, highly sensitive people tend to derive more benefit from positive experiences than their less sensitive counterparts.