⚠ Educational Use Only — The CAT-PD: Risk Taking is a self-reflection worksheet for academic and research purposes only. It does not provide a formal assessment result, professional evaluation, or any form of recommendation. If you have concerns, please consult a qualified professional.
5 Research Items
1–5 Likert Scale
≥3 Baseline Avg
~2m Est. Time

Risk Taking: Academic Baseline Profiler

The Risk Taking subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery is a 5-item academic instrument measuring the trait-level attraction to danger, thrill-seeking, and sensation-seeking behavior. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011), it captures the motivational dimension of behavioral disinhi...

For each statement, select the response that best describes your typical patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. There are no right or wrong answers — accurate, honest responses produce the most academically useful baseline data.

1 of 5 CAT-PD: Risk Taking

Loading...

—
Academic Profile
Average item score (1–5 scale) · CAT-PD: Risk Taking

Profile Interpretation

Calculating...

Academic Citation

Simms, L. J., Goldberg, L. R., Roberts, J. E., Watson, D., Welte, J., & Rotterman, J. H. (2011). Computerized adaptive assessment of personality disorder: Introducing the CAT–PD project. Journal of Personality Assessment, 93(4), 380–389. doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2011.577475

Related Tools & Articles
Related Worksheets
CAT-PD: Non-Planfulness Impulsivity profiler
CAT-PD: Norm Violation Rule-breaking baseline
CAT-PD: Hostile Aggression Aggression mapping
From the Blog
Narrative Warfare: Understanding the Algorithm of Rage Building Resilience: Practical Techniques for Emotional Strength

The Academic Science Behind the CAT-PD: Risk Taking

The Risk Taking subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery is a 5-item academic instrument measuring the trait-level attraction to danger, thrill-seeking, and sensation-seeking behavior. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011), it captures the motivational dimension of behavioral disinhibition.

Research Framework and Construct Validity

Risk Taking in the CAT-PD framework reflects a stable dispositional drive toward novel, dangerous, and physiologically arousing experiences. Academic research positions this within the broader disinhibition trait spectrum alongside non-planfulness and impulsivity.

Comparison: CAT-PD: Risk Taking vs. AISS (Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking)
Feature CAT-PD-RT AISS (Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking)
Core Construct Risk Taking trait profiling Closely related construct
Number of Items 5 items Varies by version
Primary Use Case Academic personality baseline Research and structured evaluation
Scoring Method 1–5 Likert average Scale-specific method
Framework CAT-PD personality research battery Independent academic instrument

Understanding Your Score Range

One reverse-keyed item assesses safety preference. Item average constitutes the score. Values above 3.0 reflect above-average risk-taking patterns. Community α = .84; patient α = .84.

Academic Utility and Research Applications

Researchers use Risk Taking in academic studies of thrill-seeking personality patterns, adolescent risk behavior research, and studies of extreme sport participation and occupational risk tolerance.

Educational Results Interpretation

Higher scores reflect stronger attraction to danger and sensation-seeking. Lower scores indicate more risk-averse and safety-oriented personality as academic baseline characteristics. This engine is provided for academic self-reflection and research purposes only. Results constitute educational data points and not evaluative conclusions. Participants are always encouraged to consult a qualified professional for comprehensive structural review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the CAT-PD Risk Taking scale measure?

The Risk Taking scale maps the stable trait attraction to danger, physical thrills, and sensation-seeking behaviour. It is measuring a motivational disposition — the degree to which intensity, novelty, and danger are intrinsically rewarding rather than aversive — as a personality research baseline.

How is the Risk Taking score calculated?

Five items are rated 1–5. One item ('Prefer safety over risk') is reverse-keyed and scored inversely. The item average is your score. A higher average reflects a stronger attraction to danger and sensation-seeking as a personality research baseline indicator.

Is risk-taking always problematic in personality research?

Absolutely not. Academic research treats risk-taking dimensionally, and moderate scores are associated with healthy adventurousness, resilience, and the kind of courage needed for growth-producing action. The scale specifically measures the extreme danger-seeking end of the spectrum — where the desire for the thrill overrides reasonable assessment of actual harm. Most researchers would say some risk-taking is essential for a full life.

How does risk-taking relate to sensation seeking in academic research?

The CAT-PD Risk Taking subscale strongly overlaps with Zuckerman's sensation-seeking construct — one of the most studied personality dimensions in the last 50 years. Both capture the same dispositional drive toward novel, intense, and dangerous stimuli. High scorers on both dimensions tend to be drawn to experiences that provide maximum physiological arousal.

Does this profile replace a formal professional evaluation?

No. This is an educational self-reflection worksheet. It does not generate formal conclusions or personalised guidance. If risk-taking patterns are creating meaningful consequences in your life, a qualified professional can help you understand the drives involved and channel them more constructively.