In: Swiss journal of psychology, 67 (2008), Nr. 1. pp. 29-40

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Abstract

Active risk-defusing behavior is that performed by decision makers in risky situations when they look for additional actions that decrease the risk and allow them to favor a riskier alternative. Our study demonstrates that risk-defusing behavior depends on the type of risk (normal, medium, catastrophic, or global) as well as on the domain (health, economy, or ecology). In total, 12 scenarios (four types of risk from three risk domains each) were constructed. Using the interview techniques of active information search and thinking aloud, we conducted 120 interviews about decision-making processes with these scenarios. The results showed that active search for different risk-defusing operators depends on the type of risk, but even more on the domain of the scenario. Results suggest a need for further research about a typology of risk situations in which, besides formal classification criteria, content issues are also explored.