Childhood unpredictability, schemas for unpredictability, and risk taking

By L. T. Ross, E. Hill. 2002

139 citations recorded by the source corpus.

The present paper describes a conceptual model of possible antecedents, markers, and consequences of unpredictability schemas, and outlines empirical support for the model. Early experiences, especially those pertaining to one's family, are the basis for the development of an unpredictability schema. To date, an unpredictability schema has been measured indirectly with scales that tap a variety of interrelated beliefs. Measures of such beliefs show associations with risk taking. An unpredictability schema, thus, may be an overlooked factor in risk-taking behavior. The present model takes a multidisciplinary approach and makes two major contributions. First, it integrates psychological constructs that have not previously been linked. Second, it clarifies existing relationships among background characteristics and riskrelated outcomes. Implications for prevention and intervention programming are discussed.

Subfields: Applied Psychology, Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/3f005078c3cac8f11a3bb0e00e0dcc120a12fe16

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Applied Psychology

1. Daniel Nettle
2. M. Woodley
3. Colin G. DeYoung
4. Mark Schaller

In Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

1. Daniel Nettle
2. M. Woodley
3. Karthik Panchanathan
4. Willem E. Frankenhuis
5. Colin G. DeYoung
6. M. Del Giudice
7. Mark Schaller
8. L. Penke

In Social Psychology

1. Daniel Nettle
2. M. Woodley
3. Willem E. Frankenhuis
4. Colin G. DeYoung

Citations in the corpus

• Cognition in harsh and unpredictable environments (2016, background): “Exposure to unpredictable conditions may result in a belief that the world is chaotic [48], orienting individuals toward immediate payoffs (e.”
• The Cognitive Differentiation-Integration Effort Hypothesis: A Synthesis between the Fitness Indicator and Life History Models of Human Intelligence (2011, background): “…be made for short-term mating markets being ecologically unstable, as they will be dominated by “here and now” oriented individuals who have developed an unpredictability schema characterized by “a pervasive belief that people are unpredictable and the world is chaotic” (Ross & Hill, 2002, p. 458).”