Doing it in the dirt: High sensation seeking motocross racers

Determining the psychological characteristics of long-term partic-ipants in a high-risk sport is relevant to understanding their persistence with thechosen sport. Studies have shown that participants in high-risk sports such asskydiving, big wave surfing and mountain climbing have higher scores onZuckerman’s Sensation Seeking Scale than people in the general population.This study sets out to investigate whether motocross racers in CentralQueensland, Australia, have high sensation seeking scores. Sensation seekingwas measured using Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking Form V and motocrossracers were found to be high sensation seekers. In addition, sensation seekingwas compared to the generation of the participant (Millennnial, Generation Xor Baby Boomer) as a new avenue of research.Central Queensland motocross racers have very high Disinhibition subscalescores related to partying, drinking, willingness to undertake new experiencesand enjoying ‘sexy’ scenes in movies, and have a preference for alcohol overillicit drugs. Previous research suggested that scores on two subscales of sensa-tion seeking (Thrill and Adventure Seeking, and Experience Seeking) declinewith age at faster rates than the scores on the other two subscales (Disinhibitionand Boredom Susceptibility), but this study provides contrary results. Thrill andAdventure Seeking did decline quickly with generation of the participant butExperience Seeking scores actually increased from the Millennials to the BabyBoomers. Disinhibition scores did decrease at a slower rate than Thrill andAdventure Seeking. However, riders younger than 23 (the Millennials) and 44years of age or older (Baby Boomers) had higher Boredom Susceptibility scoresthan those aged 23 to 43 years (Generation X).