title: The psychology of risk taking: toward the integration of psychometric and neuropsychological paradigms.
abstract: The prevention of counterproductive or antisocial risk taking is a research priority. Attempts to understand risk-taking behaviors are dominated by the psychometric and neuropsychological paradigms, which have developed in relative isolation. Previous studies indicate that risk taking is associated with the sensation-seeking personality trait, although the relationship with impulsivity may be complex. Poor risk-related decision making is associated with lesions to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Further research is necessary to establish which forms of risk taking are associated with the 5-factor model of personality and may be influenced by ventromedial prefrontal cortex functioning. The relationship between risk-related decision making and personality traits is also discussed in order to provide a basis for future research adopting an integrated model of risk taking behavior.
authors.affiliation: University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Forvie Site, Cambridge, UK. dl355@medschl.cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Llewellyn
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D011594:Psychometrics; D012309:Risk-Taking