evolutionary perspective of risk taking lect 6

Question 1

evolutionary background

Answer 1

-animals and humans are generally risk averse
-risk is considered irrational
-in certain conditions risk is beneficial

Question 2

what is the risk sensitivity theory

Answer 2

Caraco et al
-belongs in normative theories
-predicts animals shift from risk aversion to risk proneness in situs of high need
-need is discrepancy between indiv present state and goal (energy budget rule)

Question 3

risk sensitivity theory research

Answer 3

Caraco
-yellow eyed junco birds used
-birds had to choose between pos and neg energy budges
-presented with food patches with same payoff (120 calories) but different variances
patch 1: 110-130 calories (low variance)
patch 2: 40-200 calories (high variance)
-if the bird had already acquired sufficient calories, it chose low variance patch

Question 4

results of caraco research on risk sensitivity theory

Answer 4

-juncos birds shifted from risk aversion to risk preference when need had to be fulfilled
-confirms energy budget rule
-caraco replicated study in sparrows
-excellent argument on why people shift from risk aversion to risk seeking but only in situations of need in this study

Question 5

risk sensitivity theory and taking risks

Answer 5

-if someone is far from acceptable threshold e.g low income, they may engage in risky behaviour to improve their situation (wilson and daly)
e.g low income - pathological gambling - goal is to be exposed to highly variable outcomes

Question 6

evolutionary perspective in applied settings

Answer 6

-research shows adolescents and young adults can show extensive risk seeking attitudes to attain social status, control resources and approach mates (Ellis 2012)
-for this purpose they engaged in high risk behaviours e.g aggression, gang violence etc

Question 7

conclusions of risk sensitivity (RS)

Answer 7

-RS is a biological theory
-every risk decision which meets needs guarantees survival and enhances reproductive success and fitness (Mishra)
-RS accounts for multiple needs in different domains, indiv prioritise needs by allocating time and energy accordingly
-adaptive theory as explains people’s shifts based on needs

Question 8

RS theory critique

Answer 8

-ignores subjective perceptions (Weber 1999)
-does not offer mechanisms involving emotions
-difficult to directly manipulate energy needs in human pp
-personality traits like sensation seeking, impulsivity and self control etc have been associated with risky behaviour BUT it is unclear whether these traits moderate the effect of need on risk decision making
-past experiences seem to add predictive power to model