TY - JOUR
T1 - Risk as reward: Reinforcement sensitivity theory and psychopathic personality perspectives on everyday risk-taking
AU - Satchell, Liam P.
AU - L.P.,
AU - Bacon, Alison M.
AU - Firth, Jennifer L.
AU - Corr, Philip J.
PY - 2018/7/1
Y1 - 2018/7/1
N2 - This study updates and synthesises research on the extent to which impulsive and antisocial disposition predicts
everyday pro- and antisocial risk-taking behaviour. We use the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of
personality to measure approach, avoidance, and inhibition dispositions, as well as measures of Callous-
Unemotional and psychopathic personalities. In an international sample of 454 respondents, results showed that
RST, psychopathic personality, and callous-unemotional measures accounted for different aspects of risk-taking
behaviour. Specifically, traits associated with ‘fearlessness’ related more to ‘prosocial’ (recreational and social)
risk-taking, whilst traits associated with ‘impulsivity’ related more to ‘antisocial’ (ethical and health) risk-taking.
Further, we demonstrate that psychopathic personality may be demonstrated by combining the RST and callousunemotional
traits (high impulsivity, callousness, and low fear). Overall this study showed how impulsive,
fearless and antisocial traits can be used in combination to identify pro- and anti-social risk-taking behaviours;
suggestions for future research are indicated.
AB - This study updates and synthesises research on the extent to which impulsive and antisocial disposition predicts
everyday pro- and antisocial risk-taking behaviour. We use the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of
personality to measure approach, avoidance, and inhibition dispositions, as well as measures of Callous-
Unemotional and psychopathic personalities. In an international sample of 454 respondents, results showed that
RST, psychopathic personality, and callous-unemotional measures accounted for different aspects of risk-taking
behaviour. Specifically, traits associated with ‘fearlessness’ related more to ‘prosocial’ (recreational and social)
risk-taking, whilst traits associated with ‘impulsivity’ related more to ‘antisocial’ (ethical and health) risk-taking.
Further, we demonstrate that psychopathic personality may be demonstrated by combining the RST and callousunemotional
traits (high impulsivity, callousness, and low fear). Overall this study showed how impulsive,
fearless and antisocial traits can be used in combination to identify pro- and anti-social risk-taking behaviours;
suggestions for future research are indicated.
U2 - 10.1016/j.paid.2018.02.039
DO - 10.1016/j.paid.2018.02.039
M3 - Article
SN - 0191-8869
VL - 128
SP - 162
EP - 169
JO - Personality and Individual Differences
JF - Personality and Individual Differences
IS - 0
ER -