Psychologist Elaine Aron describes high sensitivity (or being a "highly sensitive person," HSP) as an innate temperament trait, not a disorder: processing information from your surroundings more deeply than usual. Its scientific name is sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), a term she coined herself to keep it from being confused with sensory processing disorder or autism spectrum conditions, which are different things.
- Low: your surroundings don't overwhelm you easily; you process without any special intensity.
- Moderate: some situations affect you more than usual, without it being a dominant pattern.
- High: you process information from your surroundings with marked depth and intensity.
15 statements, about 3-4 minutes. A fact that often surprises people: high sensitivity isn't the same as being introverted, shy, or anxious, even though the two often get confused.
All possible results
Low Sensitivity
Your surroundings don't overwhelm you easily: you process everyday stimuli without special intensity or a need to retreat.
Read more about Low Sensitivity
“High sensitivity isn't better or worse than its absence: it's a temperament trait, with different advantages and costs at each end.” — inspired by the work of Elaine Aron
What this score means
Your answers don't show the pattern of deep processing and intense reactivity described by sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). You tend to handle everyday noise, change, and emotional load without needing a special retreat to recover.
How it shows up day to day
- Loud, bright, or busy environments don't wear you out in any special way.
- You adapt to big changes (a move, a new job) without an outsized reaction.
- Mild criticism rarely affects you more than you'd expect.
An important note
This result is for orientation and informational purposes only, inspired by psychologist Elaine Aron's work (2012, 2020) on sensory processing sensitivity: it isn't a diagnosis and doesn't replace a professional psychological assessment.
Moderate Sensitivity
There are situations (fatigue, overload, big changes) where you process everything more intensely than usual, without it being a dominant pattern.
Read more about Moderate Sensitivity
“In Elaine Aron's original survey, roughly one in four people falls into this middle zone: neither especially sensitive nor especially unaffected by their surroundings.”
What this score means
Your answers show some degree of deep processing and emotional reactivity, perhaps more pronounced during moments of fatigue, overload, or change, without reaching the sustained pattern that sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) describes at its highest.
How it shows up day to day
- You notice certain nuances or changes in your surroundings more than average, though not constantly.
- Too much stimulation affects you a bit more than expected, especially when it piles on top of fatigue.
- A mild criticism or negative comment can stick with you longer than you'd like, at certain moments.
An important note
This result is for orientation and informational purposes only, inspired by psychologist Elaine Aron's work (2012, 2020) on sensory processing sensitivity: it isn't a diagnosis and doesn't replace a professional psychological assessment.
High Sensitivity (HSP)
You process information from your surroundings with marked depth and intensity: the trait Elaine Aron describes as being a highly sensitive person (HSP).
Read more about High Sensitivity (HSP)
Elaine Aron sums up the trait with the acronym DOES: "D is for depth of processing. Our most basic characteristic is that we observe and reflect before acting. O is for being easily overstimulated, because if you're going to pay closer attention to everything, you're naturally going to tire more quickly. E is for emotional reactivity and empathy. And S is for being aware of subtle stimuli."
What this score means
Your answers match the pattern Aron describes in roughly 15-20% of the population: you process information more deeply than usual, you get overstimulated more easily, you react with more emotional intensity, and you pick up on subtle nuances that escape other people.
What this result does NOT mean
- It isn't the same as being introverted. Aron found that about 30% of highly sensitive people are extroverted: sensitivity describes how you process, not how much you enjoy social interaction.
- It isn't the same as being shy or anxious. Shyness is a learned fear of social judgment; sensitivity is an innate temperament trait. A classic study (Brodt and Zimbardo) showed that the physical arousal of sensitivity is easily mistaken for fear from the outside, even when it isn't.
- It isn't a disorder. Aron coined the term "sensory processing sensitivity" (SPS) specifically to set it apart from sensory processing disorder or autism spectrum conditions, which it shouldn't be confused with.
An interesting fact
Although the trait shows up in roughly 20% of the general population, it's estimated to rise to nearly 50% among people who seek psychotherapy: highly sensitive people tend to be more aware of their distress and to benefit more from therapy, not just to suffer more. That same idea (that sensitivity amplifies both the hard and the good) underlies the concept of vantage sensitivity proposed by Jay Belsky and Michael Pluess: someone who processes the bad more intensely also seems to benefit more from the good.
An important note
This result is for orientation and informational purposes only, inspired by psychologist Elaine Aron's work (2012, 2020) on sensory processing sensitivity: it isn't a diagnosis and doesn't replace a professional psychological assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What does Elaine Aron's DOES acronym mean?
Depth of processing, Overstimulation (easily overstimulated), Emotional reactivity and empathy, and Sensitivity to subtleties. Aron considers that a highly sensitive person needs to show all four characteristics, not just one.
Is being highly sensitive the same as being introverted?
No. According to Aron's own research, about 30% of highly sensitive people are extroverted. Sensitivity describes how deeply you process information, not whether you prefer solitude or company.
Is it a disorder or an illness?
No. It's a normal variation in temperament, present in roughly 15-20% of the population (and in over 100 animal species, according to Aron's research). It doesn't appear in diagnostic manuals like the DSM.
Can I be highly sensitive without realizing it?
Yes. Aron explains that many highly sensitive people grow up thinking something is wrong with them, instead of recognizing a temperament trait, especially if their childhood environment didn't validate this way of being.
How long does the test take?
Between 3 and 4 minutes: 15 statements with five response options each.
Is it free?
Yes, it's completely free: no sign-up or payment needed to take the test and see your result.