Relationships between risk-taking behaviour and subsequent risk perceptions

Abstract

Research has suggested that engagement in patterns of risk-taking behaviour might have a negative influence on the processing of risk information. However, risk-takers display higher risk perceptions than non-risk takers. This paradox might be resolved by removing the confounding effect of risk takers' increased exposure to risk. A longitudinal survey was administered to 255 motorists to examine the extent to which Time 1 (T1) self-reported speeding behaviour predicted exposure-free measures of Time 2 (T2) risk perceptions. Hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for demographics and T1 risk perceptions, showed that T1 speeding, and T1 to T2 speeding changes, both inversely predicted T2 risk perceptions. This suggests that successive increments in risk-taking behaviour will lead to progressively lower increases in personal risk perception. Possible foundations and implications of this effect are discussed.