Is Your Child "Sensitive"? Tools, Truths, and What the Research Really Shows w/ Renowned Temperament Researcher Professor Michael Pluess

Raising Good Humans

Voicing Change Media

Education, Kids & Family, Parenting

4.7 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 14 November 2025

⏱️ 74 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this week’s episode, I speak with Professor Michael Pluess, renowned temperament researcher, to explore what it really means to have a "sensitive" child. We break down the science behind sensitivity as a key part of temperament, why some kids are more reactive to both positive and negative experiences, and how parenting can shape their outcomes. We discuss the genetic and environmental roots of sensitivity, common misunderstandings around the trait, and what parents can do to support emotional regulation. I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK! Order your copy of The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Here: https://bit.ly/3rMLMsL Subscribe to my free newsletter for parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox: draliza.substack.com Follow me on Instagram for more: @raisinggoodhumanspodcast Sponsors: Gruns: Visit gruns.co and use code HUMANS at checkout for up to 52% off your first order Clean Safe Products: Go to cleansafeproducts.com/HUMANS now to get $15 off the Green Mitt Kit Kendra Scott: Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code RGH20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item FlavCity: Visit Shop FlavCity.com and use code GOODHUMAN15 at checkout for 15% off Wayfair: Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday deals for up to 70% off Quince: Go to Quince.com/humans for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Suvie: Check out Suvie’s Black Friday Sale for extra savings while it lasts. Go to Suvie.com/Humans to get $150 off plus 16 free meals when you order during their sale Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The following podcast is a Dear Media production.
0:09.8	Welcome to Raising Good Humans.
0:12.1	I'm Dr. Elisa Pressman, and today I'm talking with Professor Michael Pluse,
0:18.5	who is the most prolific researcher on high sensitivity,
0:25.5	his focus is on various aspects of environmental sensitivity. I wanted to talk to Professor
0:32.3	Pluse because he's the one designing all the intervention programs aimed at fostering positive outcomes,
0:39.4	specifically for children who score higher on sensitivity to the environment and therefore may have more vulnerabilities,
0:49.9	but also, as we've talked about many times, respond better than anyone to prevention and intervention.
0:58.5	And since so much of it is related to our parent support and understanding,
1:05.1	it's so incredibly helpful to know about this research.
1:15.6	If you have a child in your life who is more sensitive to the environment or a partner or you yourself are, this research is fascinating. And it's also
1:23.9	a real understanding of the genetic component and the environmental components that
1:30.4	make up this particular beautiful part of the population, which is about almost 30%.
1:36.9	So I wanted to bring its cutting edge research to you.
1:40.4	And then we're also trying to integrate ways to sort of create an understanding between the research and how that translates to your everyday interactions.
1:52.5	So first, just out of the gate, I want to hear your definition of a highly sensitive person or the language that you prefer to use
2:04.6	in what has been called, you know, an orchid person or orchid child, highly sensitive,
2:12.6	highly reactive, deeply feeling. What's your take?
2:16.6	So there's lots of different terminology and in different
2:20.7	fields even within the academic world, there are quite a few different theories and words that are
2:27.3	being used. So I sort of landed on just sensitivity, not necessarily saying high sensitivity,
2:33.7	but just sensitivity because it's a common trait,
	...

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