There are two types of people: calm and stable ones, and those who will jump over the campfire again and again. Have you ever felt that weird feeling of excitement before doing something dangerous, or highly challenging? Is your dream to jump on bungee or parachuting? Why do people like to take up challenges, overcome their limits and push themselves to the borders? Let explore known facts behind the willingness to risk our wellbeing in order to get some thrill.
Gender
It is not sexism, but according to the researchers, and honestly, our life experience, men tend to be more eager to take the risk than women. This lies deep in our evolution. Men need to be bold and strong to impress females. We can observe that dependence in a situation when there is an opportunity to show off, and we can have two situations: women are watching or they are not. If opposite sex observe the man, he will be more willing to take up the challenge. Our roots reach to the point in history where men hunted and fought to secure the village, and women took care of all of the resources, food, and children. It was natural that females were more stable and aware than males, and this characteristic has stuck with us ever since.
Copycatting
“If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?”- I guess almost everyone has heard these words from their parents. This was their reaction to us, doing excuses, and stating that we had done something wrong, because all of our friends had too. Copycatting risky behaviour sits deep in our minds. If someone from our surroundings plays in a casino/kaszinó játékok, smokes, or drinks more alcohol, we are more willing to do so too. We follow someone’s behaviour to be more likeable. Generally, people are sociable creatures, and a vision of being an outcast terrifies most of us. That is why we are trying to be up to date with the things and deeds considered as admirable.
Tradition
People around the world and through the ages have had some rituals to prove their value. Many of them have been highly dangerous, but still people of ten of generations were willing to do so in order to be considered as worthy of title, partner, power, fame or wealth. One of the examples can be the dance of the sun of the Indian tribes. Bloody ritual of maturity for young men. The risk of death or serious illnesses in return for turning into a real warrior was a common practice.
Picky risking
There are various types of risk: financial,safety, recreational, ethical or social. In general there are a really small number of people who risk in all the types. If a person wants to skydive, they will probably hesitate from betting money in casino games/kaszinó játékok. On the contrary financial riskers won’t be so eager to put life in danger. As a result it is hard to tag someone as risk-seeking or aware since we can judge them online taking into account one of the types.
Emotions
It is proven that we are more willing to take up the challenge if we are happy, and self-confident. During some enthusiasm, we tend to be more generous and make impulsive decisions that are connected with some risk. It is even observed in the market since after the football team wins, there is a rise in the country’s stock market.
Weather
When the most stupid accidents happen? In summer. Many years ago, winter was the time of hiding, eating the stocks, and praying for spring. We have something in common with our ancestors. When days are longer, sunlight makes everything warm, we are happier and more eager to do anything, as well with risky behaviours.
Into the unknown
As we all know if you say to teenagers that something is forbidden, they will most likely do it.
It is not that obvious. Young people like to try things, test limits and borders, because they are still immature, but there is more and more within their reach. In fact, youngsters are more keen on testing new things in which the risk level is unknown than putting themselves in the known risky situations. For example, if they are properly educated about anticonception, veneric diseases and prevention, they will be more responsible and serious about having sex.
Conclusion
People are natural risk takers. If no one took the risk in humankind history, we would be still in the caves without fire. Doing things considered as dangerous, impossible, but with admirable results lies within our nature, and we cannot get rid of it. Not everyone is a professional risker, but there are so many situations in which we are challenging ourselves, that we can state that everyone has risked something at least once in the lifetime. Money, health, safety or even live in order to gain something else, or to keep things we already have.