Risky Behavior

Synonyms

Risk taking

Definition

Risky behavior or risk-taking behavior is defined according to Trimpop (1994) as “any consciously, or non-consciously controlled behavior with a perceived uncertainty about its outcome, and/or about its possible benefits, or costs for the physical, economic or psycho-social well-being of oneself or others.” In addition to this broad definition, there are other definitions of risky behavior depending on the field of research. While in the economic view, risk is defined in terms of the variability of possible monetary outcomes, in the clinical literature, the risk is generally defined as exposure to possible loss or harm (Schonberg, Fox, & Poldrack, 2011). Turner et al. (2004) described risk-taking behavior further as either a socially unacceptable volitional behavior with a potentially negative outcome in which precautions are not taken, such as speeding, drinking and driving, drugs abuse, unprotected sex, …, or a socially accepted behavior in which the...