Who takes risks in high-risk sports? A typological personality approach

Res Q Exerc Sport. 2010 Dec;81(4):478-84. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2010.10599709.

Abstract

We investigated the risk-taking behaviors of 302 men involved in high-risk sports (downhill skiing mountaineering rock climbing, paragliding, or skydiving). The sportsmen were classified using a typological approach to personality based on eight personality types, which were constructed from combinations of neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness. Results showed that personality types with a configuration of low conscientiousness combined with high extraversion and/or high neuroticism (impulsive, hedonistic, insecure) were greater risk-takers. Conversely, personality types with a configuration of high conscientiousness combined with low extraversion and/or high extraversion (skeptic, brooder, entrepreneur) were lower risk-takers. Results are discussed in the context of typology and other approaches to understanding who takes risks in high-risk domains.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Extraversion, Psychological
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Neurotic Disorders / psychology
  • Personality Inventory*
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sports / psychology*