Over the edge : personality as a predictor of thrill-seeking

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation was to find out which of the personality traits would lead university students (N=409) towards engaging in sensation seeking sports and associated activities. The questionnaire was compiled from the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (1985) to obtain questions concerning personality traits, together with the Sensation Seeking Scale (1979) to measure whether the individual has a wish to engage in extreme sports. The one way ANOVA was then used to compare the differences between age groups, genders, and also differences between personality trait scores and different response groups. A 95% confidence interval in this study provides a range of values for the actual mean personality trait score if the whole university population had to be included in the study. There is statistical significance between the mean personality trait scores of sensing and feeling and the majority of risky sports. The main findings illustrate that from a total of 409 students who participated in this study, 68.2% of the respondents are females and 31.8% are male respondents. Statistical analysis using the one way ANOVA found that those who score higher on sensing and feeling are the most likely to be sensation seekers. The findings also suggest that those who score higher on judgment are more likely not to be compelled to engage in risky sports.