Friends and Strangers: Links to Risk Taking.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Friends and Strangers: Links to Risk Taking.
Language: English
Authors: Leith, Karen Pezza, Reinhardt, Danielle, Textoris, Jessica
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2002
Document Type: Reports - Research
Speeches/Meeting Papers
Descriptors: Arousal Patterns, Cognitive Processes, Decision Making, Emotional Response, Moods, Peer Influence, Predictor Variables
Abstract: Certain unpleasant emotional states do alter cognitive information processing strategies. High arousal negative moods and very high arousal positive moods seem to make people more attracted to higher risk. This actually leads to a higher rate of misfortunes or negative outcomes. Low arousal negative moods, on the other hand, seem to make people more risk averse. The influence of friends when sought out to improve mood, led to more risk-taking behaviors than when influenced by friends in good moods. It still seems to be a high arousal negative mood that causes the risk taking--fear or anxiety associated with rejection by friends. A series of three lab studies supported the possible link of risk taking to social anxiety. The studies supported the use of moods, when aware of them, in the decision-making process. Also, the other studies replicated our results for other low arousal negative moods. Strangers were the most influential in terms of risk taking, even with the risk averse mood of sadness. (Contains 10 references.) (Author/GCP)
Entry Date: 2003
Accession Number: ED470008
Database: ERIC
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