What are the cognitive elements of dangerous behaviors?
There are correlations betweeen risk behaviours and temperament traits. According to Strelau's theory of temperament (1998) people are devided into those who have low and high demand for stimulation. The second one will probably do risk behaviours more often. There are also anothar temperament traits which can influence sb's behaviour.

You can read more there:
Strelau (1998) Temperament: A Psychological Perspective

And some other scientific articles with research results:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871603003570
http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/psp/73/5/1052/