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Risk-taking and environmental perception

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Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between pupils' environmental perception (in terms of preservation and utilisation of nature) and personality (in terms of risk-taking). 713 secondary school pupils in Switzerland were investigated. Environmental perception was assessed via three factors: ‘Preservation’, ‘Utilisation of Nature’ and ‘Consideration for Conservation’. Risk-taking was evaluated via six factors: ‘Positive Risking’, ‘Ambivalence’, ‘Thrill in Gambling’, ‘Ineffective Control’, ‘Effective Control’, and ‘Anger Reaction’. Analysis of the correlation matrix between ‘Risk-taking’ and ‘Environmental perception’ revealed three profiles (‘types’): the high scorer on ‘Preservation’ is the controlled and cautious gambler. The ‘Utiliser’ (anthropocentric) profile is essentially a mirror image of the first: the ‘Utiliser’ does not enjoy unpredictable risks, reacts with anger when risks fail and has little control over his/her own risk-taking behaviour. The ‘Consideration for Conservation’ (ecocentric) profile assumes a position between these two profiles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Natural Sciences, Pedagogical University of Ludwigsburg, LN014, Reuteallee 46, D-71602, Ludwigsburg, Germany

    Franz X. Bogner, Johann C. Brengelmann & Michael Wiseman

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  1. Franz X. Bogner
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  2. Johann C. Brengelmann
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  3. Michael Wiseman
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Bogner, F.X., Brengelmann, J.C. & Wiseman, M. Risk-taking and environmental perception. The Environmentalist 20, 49–62 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006656011403

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