| This study examined how individual differences in receptivity and sensitivity to stimuli may contribute to chemical dependency. Past studies on the etiology of chemical dependency have focused largely on either person or environment. In this study, perceptual sensitivity and receptivity to mixed, potent, and low potent stimulus conditions as defined by person/object stimuli were measured, using electrodermal activity (EDA), for their relationship to each other and to ascending reticular activation system (ARAS) reactivity (baseline arousal). Males and females (40 dependents and 32 nondependent controls) participated. A significant inverse relationship between sensitivity and receptivity under mixed (r = -.654, p < .01), and high (r = -.49, p < .00) potency stimulus conditions, and between baseline arousal and sensitivity ( r = .58, p = <.00), emerged as predicted, but not under low stimulus conditions or between baseline arousal and receptivity. Means testing found no differences between groups on arousal retention or receptivity. Unanticipated similarities between groups are discussed as a possible explanation for unexpected results, indicating the need for further research to replicate the study using more representative controls. Results are also discussed in terms of implications for further investigation of "perceptual style," as measured by perceptual sensitivity and receptivity, as a marker for chemical dependency; EDA as a screening tool for more precisely matching personality differences with treatment strategies; and arousal retention (ARET) as a measure of individual differences affecting learning that might be applied to enhance the benefits of treatment exposure. |
