Individual Differences in Risk TakingThis study explored the relation of certain individual differences in personality and motivation to individual differences in risk taking, and examined changes in these relations as a function of variations in the risk-taking situation. Ss were 72 male 12th grade high school students; half had grades which were low (LA), and the other half, grades which were high (HA), with respect to their IQ's. All Ss shot at a target with a light gun. Each S stood as far from the target as he chose. All Ss served under both a reward and a no-reward condition. Half were tested individually and half in groups of two or three. HA preferred intermediate risks. When LA were tested individually, they preferred small risks; when tested in groups, they preferred large risks. The effect of reward was not as clear. All Ss were also asked to choose among bets of equal expected value those that they would prefer playing. LA chose more often than HA the bets involving less risk. (Author). |
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3/6 to lose Achievement Level achievement motivation achievement scores Achievement X Grouping amount of money Analysis of Variance Appendix Atkinson Atkinson's studies betting task chose course examination differences in risk diffusion of responsibility effect of grouping expected values experience extreme risks extrinsic rewards Function of Achievement goal choosing task group condition group interaction high in achievement high need hit the target individual differences influenced IQ's large risks level of aspiration light gun Litwin low in achievement low need Mean Distance Stood measures of risk Midpoint money reward need to achieve offered for success pairs of bets pairs of shots present study probability of success reward condition reward was offered risk preferences risk taking risk-taking behavior risk-taking situation showed small risks Social Psychology Ss high Ss low Table taking a course tested in groups tested individually Trial 9 Trials X Achievement Wallach & Kogan win nothing 4/6 X Game