How values of Stimulation and Hedonism provide contrasting paths from Sensation Seeking to risk-taking behavior based on risk sensitivity [Conference Abstract]

The present experimental study (n=195) examined how manipulating exposure to rewards and punishments affects the relationship between approach personality traits, values, and risk-taking behavior. Multi-group analysis was used to investigate the influence of presenting rewards prior to punishments (Group 1) and presenting punishments prior to rewards (Group 2) on risk-taking behavior, in people with different personality traits and values. Specifically, we assessed wither the relationships between traits, values, and risk-taking behaviour was dependent on the order at which participants were presented with rewards and punishments. The online laboratory study revealed that the value ‘Stimulation’ was positively associated with risk-taking behavior during the ‘reward then punishment’ condition and that the value ‘Hedonism’ was positively associated with risk-taking behavior during the ‘punishment then reward’ condition. The results also demonstrated that approach personality dimensions significantly predict values of Hedonism and Stimulation in both conditions. The results suggest that values of Hedonism and Stimulation predict risk taking behaviour differentially depending on the order at which punishments and rewards are presented.