Of the different causal factors associated with risk, people are the most complex and difficult to predict. A good leader of an outdoor activity will be aware of the many social and psychological factors of their group that can lead to increased risk. This includes:
Familiarity– This is where people can become complacent to the hazards around them and as a result ‘drop their guard’. The perception of risk lowers, making people feel too comfortable. As a result, the chances of an accident occurring increases.
An example of this occurring can be when a group is nearing the end of an expedition. A case of ‘get home-itis’ may set in where less precautions are taken as people are excited to complete the mission.
Risk shift– A social aspect of risk taking is that groups make riskier decisions than the
individuals that comprise them. In many circumstances, being prepared to take a risk is often seen as a positive attribute, as a confident and assertive characteristic. As a result, in a group setting the level of risk continues to shift upwards as the less confident individuals are less likely to express their fears so as not to be seen as ‘weak’. This can lead to some group members being placed in situations outside of their competence or skill level, increasing the chance of an accident happening.
Attribution theory– The attribution process deals with the human tendency to take credit for positive behaviours or outcomes but blame bad or negative outcomes on external factors. This stems from a strong desire to protect self-esteem and present themselves in a positive light.
When people are unwilling to accept responsibility for negative outcomes, it can be difficult to find out the genuine cause/s of an incident. Without this information, it is difficult to put measures in place to reduce the chances of the incident happening again. An example of this is a group who became lost due to poor navigation by the leader. Acknowledging the mistakes could prevent this from happening again. However, pride and an unwillingness to accept that one person was responsible could lead to the same thing happening again.
Risk Homeostasis– The risk homeostasis theory suggests that people adjust the amount of risk they are prepared to take upwards if a new safety device comes out or they learn new skills.
An example of risk homeostasis can be when someone has had some basic training in river rescues and as a result are now prepared to take more risks in fast moving river waters. As the old saying goes, a little knowledge can be dangerous.
Having a GPS or emergency transponder can give a false sense of confidence, reducing the amount of time spent studying maps or thinking of where they are in the environment around them.