Highly Sensitive Person Test: Free Online HSP Assessment

Highly sensitive person (HSP) refers to individuals who perceive sensory information more profoundly than others. 

As a result, these individuals tend to get overstimulated and overwhelmed by their surroundings. Chaotic, noisy, or stressful environments may feel overbearing for them too.  

This neurological type is thought to account for 15-20% of the general population. However, a highly sensitive person is often misunderstood. Others frequently mistake them for being shy and introverted.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
100000
test takers on the Best Personality Tests platform

THEORY

How Does the Highly Sensitive Person Test (HSPT) Work?

The Highly Sensitive Person Test (HSPT) is a 27- item self-reported questionnaire. According to the test, a person who scores 14 or more on the questions indicates the person may have a highly sensitive personality

Individuals are encouraged to complete the test according to the way they feel. However, they should not deliberate over each question too long and answer them honestly.

Why is Highly Sensitive Person Test Important & Their Benefits

In Aron’s (1996) initial definition, high sensitivity was characterized as inborn and hereditary instead of being taught or on a spectrum. So, in simple terms, you either have it or you don’t. 

However, HSP traits are characterized into four separate groups in Aron’s subsequent research in 2010. 

And by taking the HSPT, one can get a good sense of themselves regarding the four different areas. 

The four separate groups of HSP are as below:

  • Depth of processing – HSPs digest information more comprehensively than others. They are more introspective and make judgments more slowly (Aron, 2010).
    In HSPs, depth of processing happens consciously and unconsciously. Consciously is where the information is communicated verbally through examination of information to others. Unconscious depth of processing means following through on their gut feelings or hunches.
  • Overarousability – HSPs tend to notice more than others in the same circumstance or setting. This includes other people’s emotions, noise levels, odors, and other environmental factors (Aron, 2010).  be beneficial, but may also result in overarousal and enduring stress.
  • Emotional intensity or empathy – HSPs feel intense positive and negative emotions in reaction to enjoyable and painful stimuli (Aron, 2010). Their sensitivity to others’ feelings makes them more empathetic.
  • Sensory sensitivity – HSPs can pick up on subtle environmental cues that others overlook. Their strong sensory sensitivity can protect them and the people around them from unexpected threats. But, it can also result in the risk of sensitivity to foods, medications, discomfort, sound, and light (Aron & Aron, 1997).
The five benefits of completing an HSPT are as follows: 
  • Understand if you will feel more intensely about feeling such as happiness, sadness, pleasure, or suffering than others.
  • Understand if you are someone who takes pleasure in life’s simple delights and is easy to satisfy.
  • Understand if you require more downtime than others, enjoy solitude, and prefer a slower pace of life.
  • Understand if you are more comfortable handling disagreement and criticism.
  • Allow you to gain better self-awareness about how you feel in new or tense situations.

IMPORTANCE

For Whom Is Highly Sensitive Person Test Assessment?

Anybody who wants to know if they are a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) can take this quick and simple assessment. The test is suitable for people of all ages, cultures, and religions.

In addition, there are specific HSP tests designed for adults and children. So make sure you use the proper HSP test to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of results.

 

How Long Does The Highly Sensitive Person Assessment Test Last?

The Highly Sensitive Person Test (HSPT) consists of 27 questions on a 7-point Likert scale. The test will take you less than 10 minutes to complete. So you can undergo the test whenever you are free and available. If you answer more than 14 questions as true to yourself, you are more likely to be highly sensitive. 

 

How Accurate Is a Highly Sensitive Person Test?

This free online Highly Sensitive Person Test will allow you to acquire your results on this psychometric tool, as guided by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

The Highly Sensitive Person Test has been validated via empirical testing. The result of the test has been published in journals. Furthermore, the HSPT is proven to display high scientific validity.

This HSPT is also peer-reviewed by studies published in major scientific journals. Lastly, the test results are stored in an anonymized database. It undergoes statistical analysis to achieve optimal accuracy and validity for the test results.

FAQ

Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Test FAQ

How do you find out if you are a highly sensitive person?

If you answer more than 14 questions as true to yourself in the Highly Sensitive Person Test (HSPT), you are more likely to be highly sensitive. In addition to the test, you may perceive sensory information more profoundly than others. As a result, you tend to get overstimulated and overwhelmed by your surroundings. Strong reaction to criticism, sensitivity to other’s emotions, and having a rich inner life may also mean you score highly in sensory processing sensitivity.

Is HSP a disorder?

According to Aron’s definition, high sensitivity is not a mental health illness. Instead, it’s characterized by other facets of personality and may occur in varying degrees. Despite the disadvantages associated with high sensitivity, studies suggest that it may also offer adaptive advantages.

Does HSP have anger issues?

Many highly sensitive people may experience repressed anger because they may not have experience in dealing with their negative feelings healthily. This could be due to their personality, high empathy for others, or childhood upbringing. 

Is HSP emotionally intelligent?

A highly sensitive person is neither more nor less emotionally intelligent than others. However, as a sensitive person, you have a lot to offer. HSPs have excellent social awareness and empathy for others. But the valuable message is knowing when to use our abilities to assist others and prioritize our needs. And mastering emotional intelligence will allow you to do that.

Disclaimer: All trademarks mentioned on this page or any other page on the BestPersonalityTests.com website are the property of their respective owners. The information as well as sample tests on this page or any other page on the BestPersonalityTests.com website are provided for informational and illustrative purposes only. They are not meant as substitutes for the original assessments and do not intend to diminish the value of the mentioned companies or their services. The editorial team strives to be accurate in the information presented and to keep it as up-to-date as possible, however, it is possible that some of it is outdated. In such cases, please contact the editorial team with suggested updates or corrections.

Get your team on the same page
Aggregate the results of the world's most popular assessments for your entire team to help it work more effectively together