Personality and Risk-Seeking

Risk-seeking is a characteristic that one attributes to a certain personality: Some individuals are risk-seeking; others are risk-aversive. Recreational risk-seeking, implicates two personality traits: impulsivity and sensation seeking. Risk-seeking can implicate antisocial behavior, especially if the activities engaged in are prohibited by law, such as gambling and the use of recreational drugs. Risk-seeking can also implicate prosocial behavior, especially if the risky activities engaged in can save lives. With increasing exposure to and experience of risk, perceived risk tends to decrease – especially for high sensation seekers. For those engaged in risky sports, this is usually accompanied by a self-perceived increase in mastery, competence, or proficiency in that activity. One notes greater risk-seeking in late adolescence and emerging adulthood, relative to both younger and older ages.