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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
Published on: February 20, 2019
Framing alters risk-taking behavior on a modified Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) in a sex-specific manner
Kara I Gabriel1, Ashley Williamson
1Department of Psychology, Central Washington University, 400 E. University Ave., Mailstop 7575, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA. gabrielk@cwu.edu
Abstract:
Framing uncertain scenarios to emphasize potential positive or negative elements influences decision making and behavior. The current experiment investigated sex differences in framing effects on risk-taking propensity in a modified version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Male and female undergraduates completed questionnaires on sensation seeking, impulsiveness, and risk and benefit perception prior to viewing one of three framing conditions for the BART: (1) positively-framed instructions emphasizing the ability to earn money if balloons were inflated to large size; (2) negatively framed instructions emphasizing the possibility that money could be lost if balloons were inflated to bursting; and (3) completely framed instructions noting both possible outcomes. Results revealed correlations between BART performance and impulsiveness for both sexes. Compared to positive and complete framing, negatively framed instructions decreased balloon inflation time in women but not men, indicating sex differences in response to treatments designed to alter risk-taking behavior.
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