Risk taking

R. O. Swalm [ Utility Theory—Insight into Risk Taking, Hai v. Bus. Rev., 44, 123-136 (November-December 1966)] found that many business executives had difficulty in appreciating fine shades of odds and confined his considerations to even-money bets. He asked various executives to state what guaranteed sum of money they considered equivalent to a gamble related to the toss of a coin. If the coin fell on one side, they would win a given sum of money if the coin fell on the other side, they would get nothing. 

If you do not listen to people, you cannot expect them to listen to you. Communication is a two-way activity. Do not make assumptions about what people know, think, or want done about risks. Take the time to find out what people are thinking. Often, people are more concerned about issues such as trust, credibility, competence, control, voluntariness, fairness, and compassion than about mortality statistics and the details of QRA. Use techniques such as interviews, focus groups, and surveys to gauge what people are thinking. 

Afterw ard, when one of the foremen was back in his office, he realized the risk he had been taking. He complained that he should not be expected to take such risks. He had forgotten, in his eagerness to maintain production, that emergency equipment had been provided to avoid the need for siieh risk taking. 

Motivation 3.6.2.2 Risk-Taking 3.7.1.5 Group Planning and Orientation... 

The following section will address six personality traits that may affect human reliability, namely, motivation, risk taking, risk homeostasis, locus of control, emotional control, and type "A" versus type "B" personality. 

The somewhat controversial theory of risk homeostasis is relevant to a discussion of risk taking. RHT was developed initially in the area of driving behavior (Wilde, 1984). The theory states that accident rates are not determined by actual levels of intrinsic risk but by the levels of risk acceptable to individuals in the situation. The theory implies that people adjust their risk-taking behavior to maintain a constant level of perceived risk. Thus, if improved safety measures are introduced (e.g., better guarding, improved protection systems then individuals will behave in a more risky fashion in order to maintain their accustomed levels of risk. 

Increased risk taking Individuals tend to take greater risks when they operate within a group rather than alone. Various explanations have been suggested, namely the illusion that the system they control is invulnerable, the diffusion of responsibility for any potential problems, the presence of persuasive persons who may take risky positions and the increased familiarization of the problem through discussions. 

Verhaegen, P., Strubbe, J., Vonck, R., van der Abeete, J. (1985). Absenteeism, Accidents and Risk-Taking. Journal of Occupational Accidents 7,177-186. 

Uiiiik or want done about risks. Take Uie time to find out what people are Uiinking. Use teclmiques such as interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Let all parties that liave an interest or stake in the issue be heard. Identify with your audience and tiy to put yourself in Uieir place. Recognize people s emotions. Let people know that you understand wliat they said, addressing their concerns as well as yours. Recognize Uie... 

Death after the use of MDMA or MDEA is rare but may occur because of induction of cardiac arrhythmias or as a consequence of risk-taking behavior. Following its acute effects, MDMA may produce symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and confusion, which, in some cases, continue for several weeks (Dowling et al. 1987). 

Sampson MA, Munoz-Furlong A, Sicherer SH Risk-taking and coping strategies of adolescents and young adults with food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006 117 1440-1445. 

To encourage individual responsibility over decisions involving risk taking. 

Creating a further set of cards with other risk-taking behaviours. 

Creating a set of cards that contain reasons for young people to become involved in risk-taking behaviour. 

Creating a set of reasons for becoming involved in other forms of risk taking and anti-social behaviour, e.g. climbing, canoeing, surfing, theft, vandalism and so on. 

Steffen T, Christen S, Blattler R and Gutzwiller F (2001). Infectious diseases and public health Risk taking behaviour during participation in the Swiss Programme for a Medical Prescription of Narcotics (PROVE). Journal of Substance Use and Misuse, 36, 71-89. 

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