Citation

Megías-Robles A, Cándido A, Maldonado A, Baltruschat S, Catena A. Int. J. Clin. Health Psychol. 2022; 22(3): e100318.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Facultad de Psicología. Universidad de Granada, Publisher Asociacion Espanola de Psicologia Conductual)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijchp.2022.100318

PMID

35847567

PMCID

PMC9256653

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although there is broad agreement that perceived risks determine risk-taking behavior, previous research has shown that this association may not be as straightforward as expected. The main objective of this study was to investigate if the levels of impulsivity can explain part of these controversial findings.

METHOD: A total of 1579 participants (M(age) = 23.06, from 18 to 60 years; 69.4% women) were assessed for levels of risk perception, risk-taking avoidance, and impulsivity.

RESULTS: The results showed that while impulsivity was significantly and negatively related to both risk perception and risk-taking avoidance, the relationship with risk-taking avoidance was significantly stronger than with risk perception. The levels of impulsivity predicted risk-taking avoidance even when controlling for risk perception.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that impulsivity can differentially affect risk perception and risk-taking. We propose that the stronger influence of impulsivity on risk-taking is due to the greater reliance of risk-taking, compared with risk perception, on automatic processes guided by impulses and emotions.

Language: en

Keywords

Decision making; Risk perception; Impulsivity; Emotion; Risk behavior