Risk perception, risk taking, accident involvement and the need for stimulation

摘要: Abstract In Wilde's risk homeostasis theory, it is assumed that people have a target which guides their behaviour. The prime purpose of this experimental on-road study was to establish the effect need for stimulation or sensation seeking on risk. addition, relationship between and accident history explored. Based score Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale, 21 male avoiders seekers were invited participate in controlled car-driving experiment. To control influence driver experience both involvement, equal numbers inexperienced, intermediately experienced participants selected. While following another car at distance chosen by participant, measured time-headway — an index taking, verbal ratings indices cognitively perceived Accident involvement reported past accidents. As expected basis preferred greater than seekers. Unexpectedly, however, they did not perceive longer as less risky. Therefore, concluded take more deliberately. results Poisson regression analysis gave preliminary evidence involvement. For drivers with approximately 80,000 kilometres observed had been liable accidents seekers, whereas who driven kilometres, observation become involved earlier driving career discussed referring drove risky fashion (e.g. shorter time-headway) without perceiving behaviour be