ABSTRACT

We test if positionality, i.e., the desire to gain social status, is associated with an increased willingness to take risk among backcountry riders. If positional preferences drive risk-taking behaviour in avalanche terrain, this is especially problematic because the stakes are high and can be fatal. Our analysis is based on data for hypothetical choices from an online survey (N = 648) in North America. We find that positional riders are significantly more likely to boast about riding bold lines, more likely to associate steep riding with social respect, and more likely to say that they would accept to ride a potentially risky line. The positionality effect is present regardless of level of avalanche training. We discuss implications for avalanche training and education.

摘要

我们测试位置性，即获得社会地位的愿望，是否与偏远地区骑手的冒险意愿增加有关。如果位置偏好在雪崩地形中推动了冒险行为，这尤其成问题，因为风险很高并且可能是致命的。我们的分析基于北美在线调查（N = 648）的假设选择数据。我们发现，有位置的骑手更有可能吹嘘自己骑大胆的路线，更有可能将陡峭的骑行与社会尊重联系起来，并且更有可能说他们会接受骑有潜在风险的路线。无论雪崩训练的水平如何，位置效应都存在。我们讨论了对雪崩训练和教育的影响。