Risk Taking Behaviour in Adolescence Essay -- Adolescent Behavior

Adolescence is a venerable and unstable time of adjustment in which a childtranscends into adulthood (Casey, 2008). During adolescence there are examinable changes in various areas of life. These changes encounter physically as the adolescent goes through puberty, as well as psychological changes where high emotional reactivity emerges, and social development is at its height (Casey, 2008). Adolescents are more likely than adults or children to engage in risky conduct that can subsequently lead to death or illness by drunk driving, carrying weapons, using illegal drugs, and engaging in unprotected sex, which in turn can lead to STDs and immature pregnancies (Eaton, 2006). The prior is proof that adolescents do engage in risky behaviour. by this essay we will explore the various theories of why risky behaviour is at its height during adolescence.An Examination of AdolescenceDuring adolescence emotional reactivity is heightened, and the social surroundings is changing as adolescent s spend more time with their peers than adults (Casey, 2008). To an adolescent, the value of confident(p) information, as well as negative information may be exaggerated which leads to greater emotional reactivity and sensitivity during this growth accomplishment (Casey, 2008). This can heighten the incidence of addiction and the onset of psychological disorders (Casey, 2008). in that respect are various theories that attempt to explain why adolescents engage in risky behaviour. One of these theories by Yurgelun-Todd stems from human adolescent brain development, and proposes that cognitive development during the adolescent period is associated with increasingly superior efficiency of cognitive control and affective modulation (Casey, 2008). This theory also suggest... ...odel since some of the studies do may not be accurate. For example, with concern to the acquire Caseys discussed concerning encumber of gratification study, there was too much variability. Their hunger level s prior to the study should have been recorded, as well as their favourite cookie face because these details may influence how likely the children are to control their impulses. But, boilersuit this model did contribute greatly to the field of adolescent risk taking. plant CitedCasey, B. J., Jones, R. M., & Hare, T. (2008). The adolescent brain. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1124, 111126. Eaton Reyna, V.F. and Rivers, S.E. (2008).Current theories of risk and judicious decision making. Developmental Review, 28, 111. Steinberg, L. (2004). Risk taking in adolescence What changes, and wherefore? Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1021, 51-58.