Effects of outcome expectancies and personality on young adults' illicit drug use, heavy drinking, and risky sexual behavior

To explain risk-taking behavior personality theorists typically focus on bi ologically based predispositions, whereas cognitive psychologists often foc us on beliefs and environmental contingencies. The current longitudinal sto ny examined both personality traits and outcome expectancies as explanation s for heavy drinking, drug use, and unsafe sexual behavior among 162 colleg e students. Results indicated that (I) personality and past experience cont ribute to outcome expectancies, (2) outcome expectancies and personality in dependently predict substance use at 6-month follow-up, and (3) only past e xperience predicts subsequent risky sexual behavior The approach taken in t his research offers a bridge between personality theorists and cognitive ps ychologists who seek to understand why people endanger their lives in pursu it of risky activities.