©Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Individuals tend to be more or less comfortable taking risks. And many different factors can come into play in determining the types of behaviors that will be exhibited. Following are some general observations that can offer clues as to the possible underlying brain-function of the individual in terms of gravitation toward or away from risk.

Aside from childhood learning, role-modeling observed, and expectations or coercion, the observations can be divided into two general categories:

  1. The person’s position on the EAI Continuum
  2. The individual brain’s innate energy advantage (brain lead)

Extraversion-Ambiversion-Introversion Impact

Comments below relate primarily to positions of Extraversion and Introversion. Ambiverted behaviors would likely fall somewhere between, all things being equal.

 

Extraverts

Estimated to be
15% of population

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Ambiverts

Estimated to be
70% of population

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Introverts

Estimated to be
15% of population

alt

 

 

Tend to be more willing to engage in risk-taking activities

May use risk-taking as a way to obtain needed stimulation, variety, excitement, and novelty, as well as to avoid boredom

May evaluate risk in advance but may also spontaneously or intuitively embrace the risk

May go elsewhere in search of stimulation if level of risk is perceived clearly not to be worth the hoped-for stimulation

 

 

Risk-taking activities tend to be somewhere in the middle between behaviors exhibited by Extraverts versus Introverts

 

 

Tend to be less willing to engage in risk-taking activities, especially spontaneously

May carefully evaluate risk-taking in terms of a the positive outcome

If pluses clearly outweigh the negatives, may be willing to embrace the risk

May withdraw from the group and run the risk of being labeled a fraidy-cat, spoil-sport, or even stuck-up if they don’t believe the risk is worth the hoped-for outcome

 

Brain-Lead Impact

In addition to the individual’s position on the EAI Continuum, each cerebral division possesses functions that can encourage the brain to move toward or away from risk-taking behaviors. Here are some examples based on the expectation that the individual is living his/her innate giftedness.

 

Prioritizing Division

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Individuals with an energy advantage in the Left Frontal Lobe tend to exhibit risk-taking behaviors:

  • When there is available data to support the high probability of success
  • If the risk will help to achieve a specific goal
  • When “backed into a corner” so to speak and a decision to take action must be made

Prefer to take risk only when available data support the action

Typically want to be in charge and make the decision about whether or not to take the risk (although can be very definite about not wanting to take the risk)

 

 

Envisioning Division

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Individuals with an energy advantage in the Right Frontal Lobe tend to be the most willing to exhibit risk-taking behaviors

  • Usually willing to review the data but also willing to take a risk when there is no past track-record or available data to go on
  • May embrace risk intuitively and spontaneously and dislikes restriction
  • May take the risk to “try something new,” to get variety, innovation, and novelty into the mix, or to take a dare

Exhibit less fear of new situations so sometimes can leap before looking or even be reckless to show off or make a point (e.g., break the rules)

 

Maintaining Division

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Individuals with an energy advantage in the Left Posterior Division tend to be the most resistant to risk-taking behaviors because that portion of the brain is resistant to change

  • Would rather avoid the risk and maintain the status quo unless there is a track-record to follow under the specific circumstances
  • May take the risk cautiously when directed to do so by someone in authority or when the “manual” includes directions to “try this and see if it works”
  • If risk is unavoidable, may try to incorporate the risk activities into existing protocols to minimize the impact and disruption

Prefer to take risk only as a last resort and in small doses

 

 

Harmonizing Division

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Individuals with an energy advantage in the Right Posterior Division tend to exhibit risk-taking behaviors:

  • When told to take the risk by someone in authority or in a close personal relationship
  • If perceive a need to conform or comply to the directive and/or if taking the risk will help to avoid conflict and maintain harmony between people or within the organization (even if they are not pleased about the risk itself)
  • In order to “protect” or “help” a loved person, pet, or cause

May try to talk others out of taking the risk if the danger appears too high or there is a strong possibility that someone or something will get hurt