Final answer:
The personality characteristic that best describes a person's enjoyment of novelty and intense sensation is sensation seeking. This trait is associated with a preference for excitement and novel experiences and can affect various preferences, including taste. It is linked to the traits of openness and extraversion in the Five Factor Model.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extent to which a person enjoys novelty and intensity of sensation is best described by the personality characteristic known as sensation seeking. This trait is common among individuals who demonstrate a strong preference for high excitement, novel experiences, and are willing to take risks for the sake of such experiences. People high in sensation seeking display behaviors that suggest they require more stimulation to achieve the same level of excitement or pleasure that others might attain with less. Sensation seeking is related to various aspects of personality and temperament, and it aligns with the Five Factor Model of personality, particularly with the traits of openness and extraversion.
There are studies showing correlations between personality characteristics and preferences in various domains. For instance, research suggests that children who are thrill seekers show a preference for intense sour flavors, indicating that even basic aspects of personality like sensation seeking can affect perception and taste preferences. In addition, individuals who score high on the extroversion trait are often sociable and outgoing, seeking out social interactions, while those scoring high in sensation seeking may seek out intense sensations and experiences, such as adventure sports. Conversely, people high in the trait of introversion may have a higher need to be alone and engage in solitary behaviors. The Five Factor Model also notes that people high on neuroticism tend to be more anxious and reactive to stress, whereas those high on stability need more stimulation to activate a stress response.