Sex, Instructional Set, and Group Make-up: Organismic and Situational Factors Influencing Risk-Taking

Abstract

The present piece of research was designed to investigate the effects of sex, type of instruction, and group composition on risk-taking behavior. Risk-oriented instructions produced significantly greater risk than neutral instructions for both individuals and groups. There were no significant shifts in risk when analyzing the difference between an individual's prescore and his score during group interaction. Males consistently demonstrated greater risk-taking behavior than females. Furthermore, all-male groups displayed more risk than either all-female, mixed-sex, or control groups. Plausible explanations were offered: sex-role stereotyping and consistency or congruity theory. Implications for research were discussed.