THEORY AND EVIDENCE BEARING ON A SCALE OF TRAIT AROUSABILITY

Trait Arousability is defined, in part, by strength of arousal respons e to sudden increases in complexity, variation, novelty, and/or unexpe ctedness of stimuli. The Trait Arousability Scale related positively t o increases in diastolic pressure when angered, to heart disease, inci dence of illnesses, conditioned aversions, avoidance of social contact s in high-density dormitories, dissatisfaction and lowered performance in high density workplaces, recall of emotional events, enjoyment of violence, and to scales of affiliation, dependency, empathy, sensitivi ty, impulsivity, affect intensity, low endurance, anxiety, neuroticism , procrastination, paranoia, eating disorders, and suicidal tendencies (but not to depression).