motivational processes (Finn, Mazas et al. 2002). High sensation seekers show a pattern of heightened heart rate reactivity to alcohol consumption thought to reflect increased appetitive processes, and are more sensitive to the invigorating properties of alcohol, while being less sensitive to the sedative and unpleasant effects of alcohol intoxication (Finn, Earleywine et al. 1992; Ray, McGeary et al. 2006). Research also suggests that sensation seeking is associated with increased sensitivity to novel stimuli, including approach stimuli (sexual) and intense sensory stimuli (Smith, Davidson et al. 1990; Zuckerman 1990). Increased sensation seeking was also associated with reduced sensitivity to stressors (Roberti 2004; Lissek, Baas et al. 2005; Zuckerman 2005). This pattern suggests that high levels of sensation seeking are associated with a stronger appetitive-approach system and a weaker avoidance-withdrawal system than do low levels of sensation seeking (Depue and Collins 1999; Lang, Shin et al. 2005). Both a stronger appetitive-approach system and a weaker avoidance-withdrawal system predispose to excessive substance use (Finn, Mazas et al. 2002). On the other hand, the social deviance pathway is associated with reduced behavioral control, reduced executive ability, and poor self-regulation (Finn, Sharkansky et al. 2000; Finn, Mazas et al. 2002; Finn and Hall 2004)
