The Tricky Business of Calculating Risks and Rewards

Psychology Today | 16.09.2026 07:39
Psychologists define risk tolerance as a relatively stable characteristic, reflecting core personality traits. Risk tolerance is, nonetheless, subject to change, as individuals age and respond to recent events, set in the context of their past and present life circumstances, their behavioral biases, and their assessment of risk and reward. And risk tolerance is domain-specific. The same person can have a high tolerance for risk in investments, while prioritizing safety when arranging a blind date.