Which of the following statements about risk factors is true?

• A. They decrease the likelihood that harmful behaviors will occur
• B. They increase the likelihood that harmful behaviors will occur
• C. They are unrelated to unit outcomes
• D. They apply only to individuals, not organizations

Answer: (B)

Risk factors are conditions or characteristics that raise the probability that harmful behaviors or negative outcomes will occur within a unit. In a command climate assessment like DEOCS, spotting factors such as poor leadership, unclear expectations, high stress, or weak team cohesion helps explain why harmful behaviors might arise and guides where to target prevention and intervention efforts. They increase risk rather than decrease it, and they relate to unit outcomes, not just individual behavior. Also, risk factors can exist at organizational and group levels as well as for individuals, so it’s not accurate to see them as solely about individuals.