@article{ref1,
title="The stoplight task: A procedure for assessing risk taking in humans",
journal="Psychological record",
year="2006",
author="Reilly, MP and Greenwald, M. K. and Johanson, CE",
volume="56",
number="2",
pages="191-203",
abstract="The Stoplight Task, a procedure involving a computer analog of a stoplight, was evaluated for assessing risk taking in humans. Seventeen participants earned points later exchangeable for money by completing a response requirement before the red light appeared on a simulated traffic light. The green light signaled to start responding; it changed to yellow at different points into the response requirement. The yellow light, which varied unpredictably in duration, was eventually replaced with a red light. Participants could stop or continue responding when the yellow light appeared. Stopping protected earnings; completing the response requirement before the red light earned money; continuing but failing to complete the response requirement before the red light appeared could result in money loss with 12.5% or 100% probability. The probability of risk taking (running the yellow) was lower when the probability of monetary loss was 100% and when the yellow light appeared early in the completion of the response requirement. Participants scoring higher on risk-taking and impulsivity personality rating scales behaved 'riskier' in the stoplight task. Potential applications of the Stoplight Task are suggested.<p />",
language="",
issn="0033-2933",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}