The purpose of the study was to examine the relation between mental construals of riskrelated behaviour and self-reported behaviour performance (i.e. car-speeding). The study is integrative, theoretically building upon Personal Construct Theory and conceptual frameworks developed in emotion research. Construals of speeding and non-speeding wer measured by 15 semantic differential scales, comprising both cognitive aspects (e.g. control and risk perception) and emotional aspects (e.g. fear, happiness) (N=1075). Construals were found to be organised within a two-dimensional structure, interpreted as basically affective. Reported speeding behaviour was related to both dimensions of construal, and construals of both the risk behaviour and the alternative behaviour (Multiple R =0.65, P <0.001). Interpretation of the results focuses otn hte underlying affective qualities of the construals as motivators in the process of risk behaviour generation. A Model of Affectively Construed Action (MACA), comprising the notion of emotional cybernetics, is proposed as a framework for understanding risk behaviour. (A)
Abstract