Perception, attractiveness and likelihood of engaging in situations of risk: gender differences

Authors

  • Eulina da Rocha Lordelo Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Aline Ferreira Campos Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública
  • Carla Silva Fiaes Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Rachel Coelho Ripardo Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Samai Alcira Cunha Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Sâmia de Carliris Oliveira Barbosa Universidade Federal da Bahia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v15i1.16649

Keywords:

risk perception, risk behavior, evolutionary psychology, gender differences

Abstract

Gender differences in risk behaviors can be explained by evolutionary theory, which predicts differences in the domain under analysis. In order to investigate this question, we used a risk propensity scale with 358 people, who answered a questionnaire of 15 items covering five domains, evaluated concerning the dimensions Perception, Attractiveness and Probability of engagement. In general, gender differences were found in the dimensions, but the analysis of the domains suggested differences only in Environmental challenge, and Mating and resources. These results are consistent with the literature about the greater propensity of men to risk, but also suggest that the domain involved may be relevant in risk propensity. The need for further research to refine the present findings is discussed.

 

Keywords: risk perception; risk behavior; evolutionary psychology; gender differences.

 

Author Biographies

Eulina da Rocha Lordelo, Universidade Federal da Bahia

Doutorado em Psicologia Experimental na USP, professora associada do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia do Instituto de Psicologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia.

Aline Ferreira Campos, Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública

Psicóloga pela Universidade Federal da Bahia, Mestre em Psicologia pela West Chester University, Estados Unidos da América, professora do curso de Psicologia da Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública

Carla Silva Fiaes, Universidade Federal da Bahia

Psicóloga, mestranda em psicologia do desenvolvimento, professora substituta da Faculdade de Educação.

Rachel Coelho Ripardo, Universidade Federal da Bahia

Psicóloga, formada pela Universidade Salvador, Mestranda em Psicologia do Desenvolvimento pela Universidade Federal da Bahia.

Samai Alcira Cunha, Universidade Federal da Bahia

Psicóloga formada pela Universidade Federal da Bahia, especialista em Gestalt-terapia e Mestranda em Psicologia na Universidade Federal da Bahia.

Sâmia de Carliris Oliveira Barbosa, Universidade Federal da Bahia

Psicóloga, mestranda em psicologia do desenvolvimento na Universidade Federal da Bahia, professora substituta da Faculdade de filosofia e ciências humanas na Universidade Federal da Bahia.

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Published

2011-10-01

How to Cite

Lordelo, E. da R., Campos, A. F., Fiaes, C. S., Ripardo, R. C., Cunha, S. A., & Barbosa, S. de C. O. (2011). Perception, attractiveness and likelihood of engaging in situations of risk: gender differences. Interação Em Psicologia, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v15i1.16649

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2011)

Section

Articles

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