Abstract
We propose that decision maker’s regulatory mode affects risk-taking through anticipated regret. In the Study 1 either a locomotion or an assessment orientation were experimentally induced, and in the Studies 2 and 3 these different orientations were assessed as chronic individual differences. To assess risk-taking we used two behavioral measures of risk: BART and hot-CCT. The results show that experimentally induced assessment orientation–compared to locomotion–leads to decreased risk-taking through increased anticipated regret (Study 1). People chronically predisposed to be in the assessment state take less risk through increased anticipated regret (Study 2 and Study 3). Study 2 results also show a marginally non-significant indirect effect of chronic locomotion mode on BART through anticipated regret. Differently, Study 3 shows that people chronically predisposed to be in the locomotion state take greater risk through decreased anticipated regret, when play a dynamic risk task triggering stronger emotional arousal. Through all three studies, the average effect size for the relationship of assessment with anticipated regret was in the moderate-large range, whereas for risk-taking was in the moderate range. The average effect size for the relationship of locomotion with anticipated regret was in the moderate range, whereas for risk-taking was in the small-moderate range. These results increase our understanding of human behavior under conditions of risk obtaining novel insights into regulatory mode theory and decision science.
Highlights
Some people take more risks than others, almost any human endeavor carries some element of risk
Two one-way ANOVAs were carried out to investigate the effect of experimentally induced regulatory mode on both risk-taking and anticipated regret
We found a significant effect of locomotion orientation–compared to assessment orientation–on average adjusted pumps (AAP), F(1,109) = 6.01, p < .05, Cohen’s d = .46, indicating that participants in the locomotion condition pumped more (M = 34.17, SD = 15.14) than those in the assessment condition (M = 27.58, SD = 12.98)
Summary
Some people take more risks than others, almost any human endeavor carries some element of risk. Some authors [1, 2] have suggested that people tend to appraise risk in terms of possible negative outcomes, rather than chance probabilities as posited by classic economic theory (i.e., [3]). In keeping with this view, some works (e.g., [4, 5, 6]) have shown that the risk dimension encompasses a 'strong fear' of losses, characterized by lack of control. Decision makers’ self-regulatory orientation may play a relevant role in understanding human behavior
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