In this study, 306 individuals in 3 age groups--adolescents (13-16), youths (18-22), and adults (24 and older)--completed 2 questionnaire measures assessing risk preference and risky decision making, and 1 behavioural task measuring risk taking. Participants in each age group were randomly assigned to complete the measures either alone or with 2 same-aged peers. Analyses indicated that (a) risk taking and risky decision making decreased with age; (b) participants took more risks, focused more on the benefits than the costs of risky behaviour, and made riskier decisions when in peer groups than alone; and (c) peer effects on risk taking and risky decision making were stronger among adolescents and youths than adults. These findings support the idea that adolescents are more inclined toward risky behaviour and risky decision making than are adults and that peer influence plays an important role in explaining risky behaviour during adolescence. (Author/publisher) [Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 48(2) of Developmental Psychology (see record 2012-01797-001, http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&uid=2012-01797…). The article contains several typographical errors. These errors are addressed in the correction.]
Abstract