Sensory Processing Sensitivity Research: Recent Advances

88.7K

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58

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16

articles

Sensory Processing Sensitivity Research: Recent Advances

88.7K

views

58

authors

16

articles

Editorial

11 November 2025

Editorial: Sensory processing sensitivity research: recent advances

Bianca P. Acevedo

and

Francesca Lionetti

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Editors

2

Bianca P Acevedo

University of California, Santa Barbara

Francesca Lionetti

University of Pavia

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In the last 20 years, research on individual differences in Environmental Sensitivity (ES) as captured by the biologically-based temperament trait of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) has increased rapidly. SPS is a trait associated with greater responsivity to the environment and to social stimuli. It is found in 20%-30% of humans and comparable differences in the response to stimuli have been observed in over 100 other species. Individuals with high (vs. low) SPS process information more deeply, experience stronger responses to stimuli, and are more aware of and affected by stimuli, both for better and for worse.

Research on SPS has grown rapidly in recent years. For example, studies have examined how neural responses mediate SPS, how it is related to temperament and mood disorders, and some of the outcomes associated with SPS. Thus, integration of this work is important, especially as it is growing rapidly with studies emerging around the globe, on various topics related to SPS and with varying measurement tools. In this Special Issue on “Sensory Processing Sensitivity Research: Recent Advances” we seek to bring together new studies in the field of SPS, to comment on what we have learned cumulatively, emergent themes, and gaps in the work that remain to be filled. Finally, we will bring together the new studies and will comment on how they contribute to advancing theoretical frameworks and practical knowledge related to SPS.

In this special, we seek to cast a wide net to highlight studies that advance our understanding of processes related to SPS, across the lifespan and from around the globe. We welcome papers from all fields, but specifically those that are in the domains of physiological and neural processes, emotion, personality, temperament, cognitive function, social processes, and the measurement of SPS.

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Editors

Bianca P Acevedo

University of California, Santa Barbara

Francesca Lionetti

University of Pavia

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Frontiers in Psychology

Personality and Social Psychology

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