Autonomous sensory meridian response: sensitivity and personality correlates

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a pleasurable, tingling sensation induced by exposure to specific, audio-visual triggers, producing feelings of relaxation and euphoria. This article examines the relationship between ASMR propensity using a recently developed self-report measure (ASMR-15), Big-Five personality factors, and sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS), in a general population. Thus far, the ASMR-15 has only been validated on self-selected ASMR-specific samples, and so it is yet to be determined whether the measure may be adapted to assess ASMR in a non-specialized sample. To address this, N = 187 undergraduate psychology students were recruited for a survey study. ASMR was related to greater Openness and SPS, and lower Conscientiousness. A confirmatory factor analysis was undertaken on the ASMR-15, largely replicating the factor structure previously demonstrated. As a result, the ASMR-15 may be useful for researchers interested in further exploring ASMR experiences in both specialized and non-specialized samples.