PSY 304 Week 2 Assignment

Are adolescents more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior than older adults?

When an individual takes part in dangerous activities that can potentially be harmful, they are engaging in risk-taking behavior. Many scholars suggest when it comes to risk-taking behavior, adolescents are more likely to engage in such activity than that of older adults (Lin, 2016). Developmental theories behind these findings include psychological, social, emotional, and cognitive reasoning. Developmental psychologists such as Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget theorized the reasoning for adolescents’ risk-taking behaviors in the form of developmental stages. In the paragraphs below, we will examine some of those developmental theories mentioned above as well as the emotional and social connection as to why adolescents are more likely to engage in risk taking behavior than older adults.

Examine various theories of human development, describing relevant terminology, and addressing how the theory assists in the understanding of issues involved in the selected topic.

Erik Erikson was a theorist who focused on psychosocial and stage development. In theory, Erikson believed that humans experience eight stages of development. These stages begin at infancy and end in late adulthood. During these stages Erikson believed that there were certain developmental tasks that must be met. The results of these tasks being met leads to, “a sense of competence and a healthy personality” and “failure to master these tasks leads to feelings of inadequacy” (Lumen, n.d., Para. 30).

Adolescents are classified under Erikson’s theory to be in the identity vs role confusion stage of development. During this stage, adolescent’s main developmental task is to find their true sense of self. During this stage, an adolescent might explore numerous forms of identities in order find their true self. Since adolescents have not fully figured out exactly who they are and what beliefs and virtues they will hold for adulthood, it is not uncommon for risk-taking behaviors to occur during this stage (Dickey & Ware, 2015).

Identify and describe at least two domains of human development (physical, biological, emotional, cognitive, and/or social) and how they are impacted by the chosen topic.

Identify and describe the stages of development that are affected by the chosen topic.

Describe the cultural and historical perspectives of the chosen topic, demonstrating an understanding of how the topic has been perceived over time and by other cultures. Provide relevant examples.

References

Dickey, B., & Ware, N. C. (2015). Risk is not a four letter word: social integration and developmental growth. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 18(4), 363-376. doi:10.1080/15487768.2015.1089801. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=828ad1de-55eb-4543-a5a8-65e018c82378%40sessionmgr4010

Lin, P. (2016). Risky behaviors: Integrating adolescent egocentrism with the theory of planned behavior. Review of General Psychology, (4). 392. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=dc618c40-2abf-4919-b6b9-56d11fa5417f%40sessionmgr4009

Lumen Candela. (n.d.). Theories of human development. Boundless Psychology. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/theories-of-human-development/