Why Do Some People Take More Risks? 

The biggest risk I take is to sleep 10 minutes longer in the morning and hoping that I still will arrive at work in time...

One thing for sure, is that clicking on a Scishow vide is never a risk! You're always in for a treat.

Could you please talk about the opposite of this, where someone is completely adverse to taking risks, perhaps to the point of phobia? This video seemed to focus on the super risk-takers and the neutral "sometimes risk-takers", but I'd really love to hear the psychology behind anti-risk takers. Thank you!!

I totally watched this with my antivirus turned off. Yeah... I'm that guy. * blows on nails *

I take risks because I'm already dead inside.

Great topic and very interesting. I would like to add a few comments, perhaps someone might find it interesting :) (English is not my native language so sorry for mispelling etc): - We often take more risks due to the fact that there isn't often a consequence for the behavior. Sure, there are workplace accident and car crashes, however it most do happen to "the other guy". Resulting in that we keep doing the same behavior and thus exposing us once more to a risk. We get more certain that "this is not going to happen to me" because it rather rare that it infact does. Which only strengthen our belief, a sort of confirmation bias where others as we know also manage to stay out of an accident. If the reward of doing the risky behavior is good and doesn't give us any consequence, why stop? Statistics that show us the calculated risk is not a good way to make us less risk taking, however when people tell us about their accident or near miss we tend to pay more attention to that and precieve it as more of a risk. Perhaps this has something to do with the availability heuristic? That you easily remember the burnt or scared face on the person and percieve the risk as higher? - Risk perception is also influenced by several factors, for example the power of choice is really important, when we feel that we have the choice and control over the risk we're facing, we are less likely to experience the risk as a risk. However, when we experience that we are forced to something and lack the feeling of being able to control it, we percieve it as more risky. Classic example of this is car vs plane. Also if the risk is understandable, controlable and preventable we find it less risky. If the risk to us if familiar we also tend to decrease the risk, the more we know the less risky it appearse to be - imagine when you first started driving or something else that was demanding and risky, you were really focused on the task and followed every rule. When you had been driving for a while you soon started to do other things, driving with one hand, talking on the phone etc. - Also peer pressure which drives conformity or pressure from an authority which manifest in obedience can cause us to take greater risks. Classic examples of this is Stanley Milgram and Solomon Asch different experiments. In order to be "accepted" or obedient we do thing that we might not otherwise would have done in order to please. - Intresting is also to look at the "false sense of safety" which makes us take greater risks. For example, cars these days have several safety features that will assist the driver, anti-spinn, ESP, airbags etc. that do infact increase the safety, however people tend to speed and drive more wreckless because they know that they have these systems that will help them. But when speeding etc. the driver might use the car in a way that isn't suitable, perhaps the systems can't handle that driving, it's only supposed to help during normal driving. Then when something happens the system is useless but we though it was going to keep us safe. Adding to this also the topic on "risk homeostatis" or risk compensation is interesting, but I think a bit controversial, that individuals have a level of risk that they are constantly striving for to maintain.. meaning that if you do something to reduce the risk they do something else to increase the risk. Not going any deeper into that because studies have shown that it's not present and others have shown that there is.

This explains my life so much. I'm definitely a risk taker at heart but I had no brakes before I was 26. Oh, the messes and drama I used to find myself in...

I was expecting some reference to extreme sports, not getting drunk, speeding or unprotected sex :(

I've always been a risk taker as was my dad and his dad. I have shown many times I can override it with self control when there is a good reason such as increased risk for someone other than myself. What this video seems to have overlooked and I wish it had addressed is the negative effects someone like me goes through if we suppress the draw of the thrill for too long. If I avoid risk for too long I first become very irritable and unpleasant to be around. I am normally very upbeat and playful when I get regular thrills. If I go longer than that I become very depressed and begin having suicidal thoughts. I've learned that too much self control concerning risk is dangerous for me.

Total off note here but... Um is it just me, or are there other people who want to zoom in to look at what her shirt says?

I know I don't matter because I'm not a patron but I would love to see an episode on alcoholism. Finger crossed?

I wish this video focused more on "productive risk," like making a big purchase, ie buying a car, home, moving out of your parents house, moving to a new state, changing careers, etc. Choosing where to hang out is sooooo insignificant in a broader perspective despite the importance of particularity. Often times thinking bigger will transform the particular by necessity.

This explains a lot. I used to ignore every possible bad outcome so I can do something fun carefree. But here I am some years later and I worry about everything before i think about doing something risky. A good way to train the prefrontal cortex is cold showers and pushing yourself to do a little more everytime you run or exercise.

I feel like my way of taking risks derives from avoiding risk. As paradoxical as it may seem.

i spent far too long watching bad cops (and bad citizens for that matter) make poor decisions in youtube video compilations (Dare devil stunts gone wrong, parkour accidents, ppl falling off building for clout online etc) watched so many of them this evening. Made me anxious and depressed for a lot of them, they all lacked self control and seemed very impulsive you hit the nail on the head with that. I searched "why would people do dangerous things" after hours of watching insane things today and I am glad I came across this SANE video it at least gives some explanation behind why these folks made such poor life altering or even life ending decisions. As sad as it all often seems to be, its interesting to try and understand it from a psychological stand point.

Self control is what I'm trying to work on when it comes to biscuits, they're my weakness

3:27 This is so interesting! It explains why I was so reckless and almost got myself killed in my early 20s. Now I plan the risks I take much better.

This lady is always such a great host!

I am both risks and loss averse and I pay the price of many missed opportunities as they pass by! I am learning to control it and perhaps take calculated risks and be observant when making decisions!

I don't want to stop taking risks. I'm not going to be stupid and get myself hurt or something else bad. I might just go for a walk and go where ever I want without having a plan, but before I'll make sure my phone is fully charged, if I get lost

I definitely have a high level of sensation-seeking. Five years ago, I went hiking (really climbing) on a trail that went up like 15 waterfalls. I went like 30 times. The last time, I fell off a cliff-70 feet up.

My friend Jonathan and I are SO closely related in our personality and ways of thinking, that when we are willing to take a risk, we ask each other if they'd wanna do it too. We usually say 'HELL YEAH' and we plan it, such as doing parkour on literally anything we have or building something pretty stupid for a stupid reason (like a raft) and using it in a creek after heavy rain.

Existing is a risk, good luck avoiding that.

Wow, this suddenly makes so much sense from historical perspective!

I do use the "change the environment" trick all the time. it has been a big help to forge my habits.

I'd personally like a little more clarification on 'Risk Taking' and 'Self Control' in relation to this video ! Kith & Kin frequently point out my, in my Mother's words, Ungodly Self-Discipline. I worked at a job I hated for 13 years just because I needed the pay & resources to help my dying Sister. I was arrested & falsely imprisoned by corrupt Police and spent 48 weeks as a guest of the Queensland Correctional Department and just quietly worked to collect the evidence needed to free myself (there is a documentary about it). The thing is ....... I also do stupid stuff, like playing Games till 4:00am when I have to get up at 7:00am. I have tried & failed to stop drinking Soft Drink (Coke in particular) two dozen times before, which is especially embarrassing since I take pride in the fact I quit smoking cold turkey and was never tempted to go back !! Is this related to 'Risk Taking' in relation to this video ? Do I have poor 'Self Control' in the context of this topic ??

I don't quite know what a "risk" is. I don't think I would want to do things I *consider* legitimate risks, such as gambling or extreme sport or hard drugs or joining a cult. I have zero desire to do such or similar things. But some of the things I do with pleasure and ease and little second thought (solo travel to events and festivals, exploring new places, ordering food I've never heard of at a restaurant I've never been to, immersing myself in a crowd at a party where I know no one, walking around outside alone in the middle of the night) would be considered risks by people I know. What category does that put me in? Risk-indifferent?

I'm still stupid enough to spend $100 on a night out at minimum because I have very little self control with alcohol. Plus it helps with my anxiety, I am scared of it becoming an addiction so I can control my drinking to once per fortnight but when I do drink it's a binge. Wish I could just stop you know, give myself a money limit and stick to it. But even when I try I ask my friends for a drink. I like alcohol too much. :(

i'm a weird dude, i tend to avoid risks in general, EXCEPT for risks involving combat, i'll pretty much jump into any fight i see, i just like fighting too much

Some people may be prone to taking more risks if they evaluate their risk-free life as meaningless, because a meaningless life causes physical pain in people. The pain 'may' be a motivator to action, or may even stifle any action. Also, there is reward. If you get used to rewards, and the risks you take don't often fail, it makes sense to take more risks. If the risk is too high, the punishment is too much, and the reward is too little. No-one takes the risk. I had to spice it up just to make it palatable.

High risk high reward!!

You should do a video about why some people less risks. Great video btw👌👍

My sister and I were climbing rocks at the beach, and before we knew it we were on top of a cliff and couldn't climb down! We ended up having to hike across the moors to find our parents and the car 😂

I love adrenaline I'd never turn down a controlled adrenaline rush (roller coaster, skydiving, et c) but I have enough self control to not do uncontrolled stunts, so by that logic I've got a lot of self control. But if I have something really delicious in front of me and I don't have to share I just can't stop. (I'm nearly of drinking age and knowing this about myself I'm only ever going to have a couple of drinks only on special occasions)

So how do I fit in? I tend to take it easy and avoid risk. I dont go out partying. I am pretty boring in most regards. But my hobby, mountaineering, exposes me to considerable objective hazards. Of coarse during a climb, I still weigh objective risk high. But the fact is that still expose myself to more danger then most people.

adhd and or autism? yes it's a symptom. well no fears. which can lead to risks, especially for the less calculated. and impulsiveness. also plays into it.

life is short just take chances

"In Psychology, something's a risk when you don't know for sure what's going to happen." So then, everything is a risk. This video is mostly about extreme risks, but with that definition, even the most mundane daily routines are risks. Existence itself is a risk. Only by not existing could you be sure of something - nothing will happen to you. And being sure of something without existing is sensically impossible. Everything that exists is up to a chance. It maybe a very small chance for things to go one way, but a chance nonetheless and therefore a risk. I don't know what, if any, meaning that has, but I think it gives some further perspective on life.

Distract myself so I won't seek out sensation? Excert more self-control to not take some risks/follow my heart? Hell no, what kind of life would that be?

3:11 Some are just better at things, period. I would call myself a more extreme risk taker, and I have friends who are the same as me, but it's pretty clear who has a more skilled hand/mind when it comes to literally, well, everything. (No, I'm not claiming to be good at everything, I'm just very likely to be more skilled then other rookies/novices around me.)

Is there some way to make the limbic system more active, for people who just dont feel any excitement in anything.

The coffeeshop-bar analogy has a dark side. When we are not currently the victims of our poor self control, humans tend to severely over-estimate their self control, even though they know from experience they have failed in the past. "It's ok, I'll just have one beer".

Life would be dull without risks 🙈 If we never took risks as a species where would we be..?

As a person with a anxiety disorder , I don't like that taking risks is portrayed so negatively here. 😠😠 I don't take enough risks, especially the less dangerous ones, and my life is more empty for it. Over avoiding risks is just as psychologically unhealthy as overindulging.

As a Dutch person, meeting up in a "coffeeshop" does not sound like a good replacement! :þ

I really want to know where she got her shirt! I love orcas so much, I would like to know if I can buy it somewhere.

Perfect video to bring up a stigmatised illness i.e. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (especially in adults) in which one of the main symptoms is the subject of the video yet wasn't mentioned. Hmm.

So, being risk adverse, does that mean that I have less fun therefore I choose to not take the risk?

You can never regret something if you never do anything.... right?

2:28 fun fact insula is latin for island

Define Risk. It's risky staying in the house all the time. You can fall down stairs, slip in the shower, or generally become unhealthy due to lack of activity.

Fortune favors the bold.

I MUST HAVE YOUR T-SHIRT!

Who got an ad about people making a pill to cure death?

My idea of risk taking is ordering the spicy chicken sandwich.

I'd love to see an episode about NoFap!

i think my breaks aged fast never was a risk taker never did stupid stuff still dont wasn't like other kids...

0:56 But STi's are so much fun, whats risky about a rally car?

I wonder who are the people who dislike scishow videos

*_FREEDOM!!!!!_*

Imagine doing something so risky that you need to get your blood type tattooed onto your arm...

I have very high level of sensation but i thought its just stupid to take more risk...for what? for entertaining people or get a sense of fulfillment? Hahaha

Love love love the shirt

People who take risks think this way: "5% of the time works everytime, so I'm gonna do this!"

Brit Garner is a dime 👌

is being hotheaded a type of risk? It is a lack of impulse control so would it be linked in with that sort of risk taking behavior?

What about the people that take less risks? What's happening there?

what's bad about taking risk, I really don't see anything bad and if something bad does happen that's life and it's a story to tell in the future. I'm not one to sit somewhere and watch videos all day

I've put a lot of effort into dampening the risk taking part of my brain. Nobody asked me for tips, but here are some. 1. Learn to be content. If you can reduce the amount of pleasure and objects purchased in any given situation, then do it. 2. Get into the habit of forming new habits. The more adaptable you are, the better adult you will be. 3. Consume things slowly. Chew your food a lot. Chew 1 kind of food at a time, unless you are trying new flavour combinations, then move on to the other kind. Keeping cycling around your plate. 4. Learn to live an introverted lifestyle. Learn to be quiet. Please leave me your tips below. :^)

It's kinda wrong blaming the brain but yeah... There it is, is hard to argue with science. BTW sci show I love...

Cause we're dope af

well what if i like stealing stuff ?

3:37 Should be considered in whether to charge someone as a minor or not. Yes, all the way up until 25 if that's what the GD science says.

Wait I could become even more reasonable than I already am in the next few years? My life is already pretty dull...

Great! You've done HSS, now try HSP (highly sensitive people) pls.

Ok, but how do I take more risks?

... because our mammoth hunters are bored out of their skulls?

I have some killer whale-loving friends and I would like to know more about that T-shirt because it's awesome.

I like your shirt

Not all risks are bad. Making the first airplane and flying it was a risk. Being the first people in outer space in the 60s was a risk (and still is). Every missionary in Africa, every political movement and protest... While some risks are just plain stupid, without the vast majority of risks, there would never be progress.

Can you do an episode on the Mandela effect please?

whenever I see her I'm reminded of brandy tarlore lol

We all do stupid things, like getting back with our ex

I will comment before watching the video to see if i was right I learnt in my psychology lectures that people who tend to take more risks are the ones who were emotionally suppressed and didn't get to do risky things during there childhood (probably because of strict parents etc) and this is their way of making up for that need for excitement and risk.

I am guessing that people on this channel intentionally gesticulate really hard because they believe that it enhances people's ability to follow what they are saying and stay engaged, but I find it really distracting and cringy often. They should do one on why people gesticulate while talking and is it learned or innate. And on why Hank Green waves his arms around so wildly that sometimes I have to look away or I can't stand to continue with the video.

I never take risks. :)

You have the jaw line men want

why do we develop habits

I just wish this channel wouldn't make so many videos that other science channels have already covered the topic of thoroughly. It seems like a cop-out.

It's taking me a lot of self control not to buy AMD Radeon Vega right now...

I'm a low sensation seeker.

what do people think about people showing bad habits? like if you want to know...

💘

They have cat parasite controlling their brains

Taking risks is not always bad, as long your not having unprotected sex and rubbing razor on your skin.

I just can't say no to cookies.

bc they are more fun than you

120th!

Kakegurui much?

*Doesn't matter, had sex.*