Going beyond ‘Because it’s there’ - Multiple motivations for pursuing high-risk adventure activities (Literature Review)

The term ‘extreme sports’ has become synonymous with a variety of non-traditional high-risk adventure experiences. Participation in extreme sports is difficult to explain because it is a behaviour often seen as fascinating and puzzling given society’s efforts to reduce risks of death, or injury. Academics have employed varying theoretical perspectives to explain the motivational dynamics behind people’s adventure pursuits. Different factors have been proposed to play a role, ranging from sensation-seeking personality types to the desire to pursue optimal experiences and achieve a sense of self-agency. A literature review of existing research on people’s motives to engage in extreme sports is presented, arguing in favour of a multi-faceted view on risk-taking motivation. Various studies are discussed in relation to each other. Different theories and how they complement each other are reviewed to portray motivation as fluid and dynamic. Suggestions for improvement of existing methodologies in the field are put forward.