Can Sensation Seeking Explain a Vocational Interest in Forensic Identification?

Jonathan W.  Roberti

Authors

Jonathan W. Roberti University of Florida

Keywords:

forensic, vocational, sensation seeking, forensic identification

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe the occupational demands and duties of a forensic identifier. It is illustrated that the occupational demands and duties of a forensic identifier are stimulating, novel, and challenging. It is proposed that an interest in this career may be related to the personality factor of sensation seeking. Lastly, a review of occupations with similar stimulating, novel, and challenging occupational demands and duties are reviewed.

References

Arnett, J. (1991). Still crazy after all these years: Reckless behavior among young adults aged 23-27. Personality and Individual Differences, 12, 1305-1313.

Baldwin, H. B. (January 25, 2002). Crime scene investigator. [Online]. Retrieved on January 25, 2002. http://www.feinc.net/csidesc.htm

Best, C. L., & Kilpatrick, D. G. (1977). Psychological profiles of rape crisis counselors. Psychological Reports, 40, 1127-1134.

Biersner, R. J., & LaRocco, J. M. (1983). Personality characteristics of US Navy divers. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 56, 329-334.

Cloninger, S. C. (1996). Theories of personality: Understanding persons (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Costa, P. T., McCrae, R. R., & Holland, J. L. (1984). Personality and vocational interests in an adult sample. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 390-400.

DeLucia, R. C. & Doyle, T. J. (1998). Career planning in criminal justice. 3rd. ed. Cincinnati, OH: Anderson Publishing Co.

Dillon, H. (1999). Forensic scientists: A career in the crime lab. Occupational Outlook Quarterly, 28, 2-7.

Furton, K. G., Hsu, Y. L. & Cole, M. D. (1999). What educational background do crime laboratory directors require from applicants? Journal of Forensic Sciences, 44,

-132.

Gaensslen, R. E, & Lee H. C. (1988).Regional cooperation and regional centers among forensic science programs in the United States. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 33, 1069- 1070.

Hogan, R., & Blake, R. (1999). John Holland’s vocational typology and personality theory. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 55, 41-56.

Holland, J. L. (1985). Making vocational choices: A theory of vocational choices and work environments. (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Holland, J. L., Johnston, J. A., & Asama, N. F. (1994). More evidence for the relationship between Holland’s personality types and personality variables. Journal of

Career Assessment, 2, 331-340.

Kish, G. B., & Donnenwerth, G. V. (1969). Interests and stimulus seeking. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 16, 551-556.

International Crime Scene Investigator’s Association (January 28, 2002). ICSIA’s CSI FAQ File. [On-line]. Retrieved on January 28, 2002.http://www.icsia.com/faq.html

Irwin, C. E., & Millstein, S. G. (1986). Biopsychosocial correlates of risk taking behaviors during adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 7, 82-96.

Lee H. C., & Gaensslen R. E . 1988). Forensic science laboratory/forensic science program cooperation and relationships: The view from the forensic science laboratory. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 33, 1071-1073.

Lowman, R. L. (1991). The clinical practice of career assessment: Interest, abilities, and personality. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Oleszkiewicz, Z. Z. (1982). Demand for stimulation and vocational preferences. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 13, 185-195.

Osipow, S. H. (1987). Counseling psychology: Theory, research, and practice in career counseling. Annual Review of Psychology, 38, 257-278.

Rowh, M. (2000). Hot jobs in the crime lab. Career World, 28, 29-32.

Siegal, J. A. (1988). The appropriate educational background for entry level forensic scientists: A survey of practitioners. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 33, 1065-1068.

Stinchcomb, J. D. (1996). Opportunities in law enforcement and criminal justice careers. Rev. ed. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons.

Waters, C. W., Ambler, R., & Waters, L. K. (1976). Novelty and sensation seeking in two academic training settings. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 36,

-457.

Yura, M. T. (1999). West Virginia University Forensic Identification Program Undergraduate Information. (Available from the Department of Forensic Identification, West Virginia University, PO Box 6121, Morgantown, WV 26506-6121).

Zaleski, Z. (1984). Sensation seeking and risk taking behaviour. Personality and Individual Differences, 5, 607-608.

Zuckerman, M. (1979a). Sensation seeking: Beyond the optimal level of arousal. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Zuckerman, M. (1983b). Sensation seeking: A biosocial dimension of personality. In A. Gale and J. Edwards (Eds.) Physiological correlates of human behavior: Vol. 3

Individual differences (pp. 99-115). New York: Academic Press.

Zuckerman, M. (1984). Sensation seeking: A comparative approach to a human trait. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 7, 413-471.

Zuckerman, M. (1985). Sensation seeking, mania, and monoamines. Neuropsychobiology, 13, 121-128.

Zuckerman, M. (1990). The psychophysiology of sensation seeking. Journal of Personality, 58, 313- 341.

Zuckerman, M. (1994). Behavioral expressions and biosocial bases of sensation seeking. New York: Cambridge Press.

Zuckerman, M. (1996). The psychobiological model for impulsive unsocialized sensation seeking: A comparative approach. Neuropsychobiology, 34, 125-129.

Zuckerman, M., Buchsbaum, M. S., & Murphy, D. L. (1980). Sensation seeking and its biological correlates. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 187-214.

Zuckerman, M., Eysenck, S, & Eysenck, H. J. (1978). Sensation seeking in England and America: Cross-cultural, age, and sex comparisons. Journal of Consulting and

Clinical Psychology, 46, 139-149.

Zuckerman, M., & Neeb, M. (1980). Demographic influences in sensation seeking and expressions of sensation seeking in religion, smoking and driving habits.

Personality and Individual Differences, 1, 197-206.