60 8- to 10-yr.-old male Ss undertook a risk-taking task designed to assess the effects of both prior gains and magnitude of potential loss on children's subsequent risk preference. Contrary to research findings with adults, the children in the current study showed little concern about amount of potential loss. Virtually every S was apparently attempting to maximize gain. Decision time increased in the risk-taking task as a function of probability of loss but not magnitude of loss.
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