Environmental sensitivity: conceptualization and explanation of high sensitivity models

Abstract

Humans and other living beings are sensitive to the environment. Some of them differ in the way they are influenced by environmental conditions. Therefore, environmental sensitivity, which is defined as the ability to perceive and process external stimuli, has been broadly studied. Such a concept includes different theories which all concur that only a minority of the population possesses a significantly higher environmental sensitivity, and that highly sensitive individuals differ in their response to both positive and negative features of the environment. That sensitivity alludes to internal and external stimuli, such as internal events and sensory, physical and social environments. The factors linked to a strengthened environmental sensitivity can be genetic, behavioral/temperamental and physiological. Every theoretical contribution is unique, but they share some key elements as well. The Sensory Processing Sensitivity theory conceives that sensitivity to be a personality trait manifested in depth of processing, ease of overstimulation, emotional reactivity and awareness of subtleties. The Differential Susceptibility model, which includes the Diathesis-Stress and Vantage Sensitivity theories, suggests that some individuals are more predisposed to be both negatively and positively influenced by the environment, depending on whether its conditions are adverse or thriving. The biological Sensitivity to Context approach proposes that sensitivity is shaped by early environmental conditions, and it is increased by stress response systems. Throughout this chapter, the conceptualization of environmental sensitivity and every theoretical contribution which is included in the Environmental Sensitivity meta-framework will be discussed, as well as the aspects on which they agree and differ.