In the paper psychological characteristics of risks in the aspect of extremal conditions of activity are considered. A short theoretical review of the problem and the analysis of the notions «risk», «risk factor», «extremal situation» are given. The characteristic of risks from the point of view of their extremality is proved. The results of analysis and empirical study of the inclination and readiness to the risk of the representatives of extremal professions (employees of security services) are represented.
