Hence, the theory says that people will not be averse to risks involving monetary gains and losses that do not alter lifetime wealth enough to affect significantly the marginal utility one derives from that lifetime wealth.

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In a recession, or following losses, many investors become more averse to holding risks.

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All of these actors become more averse to holding risks as the market declines, so they sell.

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But when it comes to big acquisitions, their shareholders are more averse to taking risks, and since they are late in the game, there are fewer choices.

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Still others suggest that the tense regional situation, made tenser by speculation over the policies of Israel's new prime minister toward its neighbours, is making Syria's leaders averse to taking risks at home.

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Those averse to stock market risks, for instance, could have their money go into U.S. government bonds or government-insured bank certificates of deposit.

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When researchers factor in differences in how men and women perceive various kinds of risks, women are no more risk-averse than men, Dr. Weber says.

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Alternatively, stronger correlation may reflect a change in the willingness of investors in different countries to accept price volatility: if investors are more risk averse, they will insist on a higher return for the risks they bear by holding shares, so share prices would have to fall.

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So if you tend toward being risk averse, I encourage you to rethink the nature of risk, and how not taking risks may be keeping you from more of the success you want, whether you measure it in recognition, remuneration or bottom line results.

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