Reasoned and Reactive Decision-Making Processes as Predictors of Between-Person and Within-Person Differences in Risk-Taking Behavior

Both reasoned and reactive decision-making processes contribute to risk-taking behavior. This study tested whether elements of the reasoned and reactive processes are completely separate, partially interconnected, or fully interconnected and whether reasoned and reactive processes predict both between-person and within-person differences in risk-taking behavior. Participants were 580 university students (M age = 20.45, range 18–52 years) who completed surveys assessing decision-making processes and risk-taking behavior. The reasoned and reactive decision-making processes appear to overlap and intersect; distal elements from both decision-making processes exhibit indirect effects on risk-taking behavior through elements from their own, as well as the other, process. However, reasoned and reactive processes both helped explain why some individuals engage in more risk-taking behavior than other individuals and why each individual is more likely to engage in some forms of risk-taking more than others.