Positive risk behaviors and time perception among mountaineers

Abstract

The article concerns people engaged in hiking in the mountains as being the representatives of positive risk behaviour (PRB) (activities accepted by the members of society). The aim of the research is to determine whether people involved in hiking display significantly more risk behaviour, both positive and negative (NRB) and whether they perceive time in a different way. In the research participants were recruited and questionnaires were applied via the Internet. The analysis confirmed the hypothesis that hikers are characterised by a greater risk propensity and a greater number of activities recognised as PRB, but not NRB. Surprisingly no differences between future time perspective orientation were found. Moreover, people hiking in the mountains are characterised by higher measures of present hedonistic time perspective and lower past negative time perspective. Average value of DBTP is lower among them, which stands for a more balanced time perception orientation. Past negative time perspective is most strongly correlated with a balanced time perspective. Strong positive correlations between risk propensity and PRB were found. A negative correlation was observed between future time perspective and NRB, but not PRB. It is important to note that the correlation between present hedonistic time perspective and frequency of PRB activities was found only among mountain tourists. Further research could concentrate on the analysis of other specific groups and further exploration of hikers’ community concerning their personality and identity structures, cognitive styles, profits obtained from being a member of a group and engaging in sport.