There is much evidence by now from the study of exploratory behavior, alternation behavior, response decrement durmg monotonous tasks, and behavioral disruption dunng sensory depnvation (eg, Berlyne, i960, Duffy, 1963, Fiske & Maddi, 1961, Heron, 1957, Solomon, Kubzansky, Leiderman, Mendelson, Trumbull, & Wexler, 1961, to mdicate that variation m stimulation functions to attract the organism and to aid m the maintenance of normally effective performance (Fiske & Maddi, 1961, pp 12-13) To explain these functions of varied expenence, Fiske and Maddi (1961, pp 13-49) developed a comprehensive theory of activation Bnefiy, they assumed that for each organism there IS a characteristic or typical level of activabon, and that the organism attempts to mamtam this level because domg so is consistent with maximal comfort. Whenever the actual level of activation is lower than that which is characteristic, a condition produced by stimulation of meager impact, a need for variety exists This need will be expressed m behavior by an increment m appreciation for, and production of, both relatively rare occurrences (novelty), and moment-to-moment changes m more ordinary stimulation Although Fiske and Maddi based their thinking on studies primarily concemed with group averages, they beheved that the characteristic level of activation would differ from person to person This means that the need for variety should show corresponding differences in mtensity, as the proportion of time spent attempting to mcrease an actual level of activation that is too low would be greater the higher the charactenstic level of activation

This study aimed to measure three rationally distinct forms of the need for variety as expressed in thematic apperception, and to obtain the relatic ships among them and between each of them and other variables with which the should or should not be correlated. Sixty‐two male subjects were tested fox all variables. The relationships among the three fantasy measures–novelty of productions, curiosity, and desire for novelty–were consistent with assuming that they represent different forms of the need for variety. In addition, novelty of productions correlated positively with complexity and internal exploration, and negatively with external exploration. Curiosity correlated positively with external exploration and n achievement, and negatively with nonverbal productivity. Evidence for discriminant validity was also obtained.