Could certain safety devices make us more prone to risk of exposure - pickings ? This is the head that two researcher from the University of Bath set out to respond , and they trust the issue might have far - reaching consequences .
In their study , published inPsychological Science , they valuate the adept - seek demeanor of 80 adult ( ripened 17 - 56 ) using a computer - based computer simulation . The player were told the study was about optic - tracking and a that a “ equipment ” to valuate this was installed either on a baseball cap or on a motorcycle helmet , which they were indiscriminately assigned to wear .
The people taking part in the report were then tax with inflating a virtual balloon on their covert . With each inflation they would earn points , but if the balloon pop they would lose all their earnings . For each individual , this was repeated 30 times , with the research worker comparing the likeliness of risk - taking behavior between those wearing a helmet and those with a baseball crownwork . amazingly , people wearing a helmet were more reckless .
“ The helmet could make zero departure to the outcome , but people wearing one seemed to take more risk of exposure in what was essentially a gambling undertaking , ” said Dr. Ian Walker , one of the two investigator of the subject , in astatement .
Co - writer Dr. Tim Gamble contribute : “ If feeling protected does make people generally more reckless – which is what these finding imply – then this could affect all sort of situation , perhaps even how soldiers make strategic decisions when bust consistency armour . This all suggests that cook multitude safe in dangerous situations is n’t a simple government issue , and policy makers take to remember this . ”
The researchers are manifestly not order people to stop wearing safety equipment . However , the bailiwick does indicate that unintended consequences could be generated in an attempt to reduce exposure to danger . This is not the first time psychologists have suggest at this phenomenon , but the modish result highlight the need to approach safety gadget in a more advanced agency .
“ Several studies in the yesteryear have looked at so - called ‘ risk recompense , ’ suggesting that people might drive differently when wear seat belt , or make more strong-growing American football tackles when wear helmets . But in all those cases , the safety twist and the natural process were directly link , ” enunciate Dr. Walker . “ This is the first suggestion that a safety gimmick might make multitude take risk of exposure in a totally unlike domain of a function . ”
