I think that the results of this were extremely accurate and reflect teens very well. Teens know write from wrong, and know the consequences of their actions, but easily forget or ignore their better judgment when peers and friends are around. We analyzed these exact experiments in Psychology in the beginning of the year and found that teenagers know the potential rewards and risks, yet hold the rewards so much higher than the potential risks in their brain, something that adults don’t do as much. When doing something risky, they tend to get caught up in the possible rewards, whether it is a direct reward of the reaction, or the reward is respect from their peers. I’ve found this true in my own life as well. You see teens racing their friends on the roads every so often. However, they only do this when they’re with their friends. You never see these people racing strangers or driving recklessly when they are alone, because what is the point? I think teens even do this subconsciously, without even realizing what they are actually doing. Many parents blame their teenagers for this, but can it really be their fault or be stopped if it is hard-wired into who teenagers really are?
As a member of the group this professor was researching (high school and college students), I feel like everything he concluded was very accurate. When in the presence of my friends, I feel more ambitious and willing to take risks because the possibility of a positive reward is just too tempting. I think that peer pressure works in many ways and one of them is simply being in the presence of peers because our “brain’s reward centers become hyperactive.” We desire a pleasurable experience, which, in our eyes, is more likely to happen if risk-taking is involved. The only way to mitigate this specific risk as an adolescent is to not hangout with friends, which is unrealistic and impossible to prevent. (Ariana S)
The article is implying that teenagers should not have any friends because the latter are hazardous to the former's health. But there still are some benefits for befriending someone, right?
Peer pressure is a large part of a teenager's life. This article supports that there is a physical reason for the influence that teens have on their peers. It is interesting that the drinking age has been placed at 21 in most states- this would be supported by the information in the article about the lack of willpower and awareness of consequences by teens. However, 18 year olds are allowed to make such important decisions such as joining the armed forces at this age. Maybe this is one of the reasons why the military is having so many sex abuse scandals. Peer pressure has also played a role in some of the latest college scandals involving teams or fraternities. - MB period 6
Teenagers are more inclined of taking risks in groups because of the rejection they possibly face in their social life. In fact, being "fiscally responsible" is considered being lame or un-cool, which is a risk in your social standing from a teenagers point of view. Paridhi Vayda
This article says that the propensity for teenagers to do more risky things when they are with their peers may be hard wired. In other studies in the article, they have shown that being around peers not only makes adolescents more reward-sensitive but also draws them to immediate, rather than longer-term, rewards. I agree with this 100%. I feel that when I am with my peers, my calculations of risk and reward are skewed. Most of the time, I put the reward higher than the risk. Also, the study on mice was intersting. Adolescent mice — tested shortly after puberty — drank significantly more in the presence of their peers than when they were by themselves. I feel this relates to teens too when thinking about under age drinking or smoking. This fact shows that as we get older, we will be taking lots of risks but I think this will decrease with age and experience.
While reading this article I couldn’t help but agree at almost all the facts that were stated about teenagers and the risks that they take. I agree with the fact that teenagers are most likely to do risky things when they are surrounded with their friends or with people their same age. As teenagers, many of us strive to achieve a sense of accomplishment, and will do anything to fit in and get the “seal of approval” from their peers. Since this is the case, it sad to think about all of the accident and bad choices that have been made as a result of this. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, many more juvenile crimes than adult crimes are committed in groups. And driving statistics conclusively show that having same-age passengers in the car substantially increases the risk of a teen driver’s crashing but has no similar impact when an adult is behind the wheel. After reading that fact, it truly gave me a different perspective of how our peers affect our behavior and ability to decipher right from wrong. It also gave me better understanding of risk and reward in terms of the possible outcomes. -Melinda R Period 6
I am currently in AP Psychology, so this article was not surprising or new to me. It is true that individuals, not only teenagers, change their behavior when their peers surround them. Social loafing is when you are in a group you exert less effort and care less. Group polarization is when individuals’ opinions grow stronger in groups. Deindividuation is when one is in a group he or her will lose their sense of individuality and responsibility, and this relates to this article. I believe this could happen also with adults, but it is more likely to occur for teenagers. Teenagers brains are still developing, so they are wired to learn and be flexible, willing to take risks. I do not believe this is something we can control because we are biologically wired to take more risks, which I learned in psychology. Although, it is not smart to ignore the costs and magnify the rewards, if we do not take risks how are we suppose to learn and succeed? I believe that the more risks we take the better. Yes, it would be better if we take safe risks, but we can not control that if it is hardwired.
I am currently in AP Psychology, so this article was not surprising or new to me. It is true that individuals, not only teenagers, change their behavior when their peers surround them. Social loafing is when you are in a group you exert less effort and care less. Group polarization is when individuals’ opinions grow stronger in groups. Deindividuation is when one is in a group he or her will lose their sense of individuality and responsibility, and this relates to this article. I believe this could happen also with adults, but it is more likely to occur for teenagers. Teenagers brains are still developing, so they are wired to learn and be flexible, willing to take risks. I do not believe this is something we can control because we are biologically wired to take more risks, which I learned in psychology. Although, it is not smart to ignore the costs and magnify the rewards, if we do not take risks how are we suppose to learn and succeed? I believe that the more risks we take the better. Yes, it would be better if we take safe risks, but we cannot control that if it is hardwired.
We discussed this idea in AP Psyc. Teenagers do more risky things when there are more of their peers watching rather than when they are alone. I believe in this statement because why would a teen do something risky when no one is looking. They want to show others they are risky and daring when others are watching so they can have the cool fact to them. VG Prd 6
I find it interesting how risk can change with age as shown by this article. Even though not all teenagers are risk takers, this definitely represents the ones who are.
I agree that teens do more reckless things when with their peers than when they are without their friends. Many times teens chose the immediate reward that may be dangerous rather than thinking through the risks. Even the experiment on the mice and their effects of drinking alcohol when their peers are around is true in human teens. Teens don't want to let their friends down by not conforming to their actions. - Lauren Thomas Per. 6
I feel that in society we always feel like were being watched. That constant paranoia to impress others enables us to take risks. As the article states,” Many such studies have found no differences between teenagers and adults, but this may be an artifact of testing people when they were alone, rather than when they were with others, which is frequently the context in which risky choices are made.” So when we think about risk we have a mindset to think only teenagers but we are wrong. I think that many adults take even more risk than some teenagers because they are to uphold a higher level of responsibility; leading to reputations. If you’re the guy who is known to make risks that are positive it is more likely that you will continue making the same choices in front of others. The idea of social groups as well also plays a major role in our decisions. If you’re in a group that doesn’t take risk people will assume that you play it safe. As we grow up we keep our habits we formed as a teenager and those who were major risk takers back then, usually are the ones who keep taking risks later in life.
I agree with everything said about teenagers being more risky, and have seen an article very similar to this one in psychology. The article in psychology argued the same points, and also said that the riskiness in teens may be hardwired. As a teen myself I see a lot of these reckless decisions being made firsthand, and truly see how long-term smarter outcomes aren't truly thought about in the moment. I thought it was particularly interesting that they did a test on mice to see if what they found about humans also applies with mice. The results of the adolescent mice were surprisingly similar to human adolescence, which was shocking to me because I think that teens would generally be more effected by peer pressure than mice...but I guess you never know? -Tara O'Shea (period 6)
Honsetly, I'm not suprised, I think that everyone can conclude that teenagers act more risky in the presence of there peers, it's kind of a no brainer. i do also think that it has something to do with psychology, im no expert nor have i taken the class but, i mean im pretty sure it's all in a persons head of how to act around certain people. you know what i found funny the fact the mice drink more when theyre around their friends, i just found that hilarious, imagine drunk mice, but that's besides the point. the article was very interesting and i agreed with it immensely. AM period 6
I think that a teenagers life is built around the people they surround themselves with. I see adults, even young adults, as far more independent than teenagers. I know a lot of teens that can't even walk through the halls alone without a friend. So in that sense, it makes sense that teens make more risky decisions when around their peers. There is a need to have as many friends as you can have and I think that teens need that because they aren't totally independent. Teens make more risky decisions to try and make more people like them by seeming like an exciting person to be around.
I think that the results of this were extremely accurate and reflect teens very well. Teens know write from wrong, and know the consequences of their actions, but easily forget or ignore their better judgment when peers and friends are around. We analyzed these exact experiments in Psychology in the beginning of the year and found that teenagers know the potential rewards and risks, yet hold the rewards so much higher than the potential risks in their brain, something that adults don’t do as much. When doing something risky, they tend to get caught up in the possible rewards, whether it is a direct reward of the reaction, or the reward is respect from their peers. I’ve found this true in my own life as well. You see teens racing their friends on the roads every so often. However, they only do this when they’re with their friends. You never see these people racing strangers or driving recklessly when they are alone, because what is the point? I think teens even do this subconsciously, without even realizing what they are actually doing. Many parents blame their teenagers for this, but can it really be their fault or be stopped if it is hard-wired into who teenagers really are?
ReplyDeleteIsabel R
As a member of the group this professor was researching (high school and college students), I feel like everything he concluded was very accurate. When in the presence of my friends, I feel more ambitious and willing to take risks because the possibility of a positive reward is just too tempting. I think that peer pressure works in many ways and one of them is simply being in the presence of peers because our “brain’s reward centers become hyperactive.” We desire a pleasurable experience, which, in our eyes, is more likely to happen if risk-taking is involved. The only way to mitigate this specific risk as an adolescent is to not hangout with friends, which is unrealistic and impossible to prevent. (Ariana S)
ReplyDeleteThe article is implying that teenagers should not have any friends because the latter are hazardous to the former's health. But there still are some benefits for befriending someone, right?
ReplyDeletePeer pressure is a large part of a teenager's life. This article supports that there is a physical reason for the influence that teens have on their peers. It is interesting that the drinking age has been placed at 21 in most states- this would be supported by the information in the article about the lack of willpower and awareness of consequences by teens. However, 18 year olds are allowed to make such important decisions such as joining the armed forces at this age. Maybe this is one of the reasons why the military is having so many sex abuse scandals. Peer pressure has also played a role in some of the latest college scandals involving teams or fraternities. - MB period 6
ReplyDeleteTeenagers are more inclined of taking risks in groups because of the rejection they possibly face in their social life. In fact, being "fiscally responsible" is considered being lame or un-cool, which is a risk in your social standing from a teenagers point of view. Paridhi Vayda
ReplyDeleteThis article says that the propensity for teenagers to do more risky things when they are with their peers may be hard wired. In other studies in the article, they have shown that being around peers not only makes adolescents more reward-sensitive but also draws them to immediate, rather than longer-term, rewards. I agree with this 100%. I feel that when I am with my peers, my calculations of risk and reward are skewed. Most of the time, I put the reward higher than the risk. Also, the study on mice was intersting. Adolescent mice — tested shortly after puberty — drank significantly more in the presence of their peers than when they were by themselves. I feel this relates to teens too when thinking about under age drinking or smoking. This fact shows that as we get older, we will be taking lots of risks but I think this will decrease with age and experience.
ReplyDelete- Lydia G - Period 6
While reading this article I couldn’t help but agree at almost all the facts that were stated about teenagers and the risks that they take. I agree with the fact that teenagers are most likely to do risky things when they are surrounded with their friends or with people their same age. As teenagers, many of us strive to achieve a sense of accomplishment, and will do anything to fit in and get the “seal of approval” from their peers. Since this is the case, it sad to think about all of the accident and bad choices that have been made as a result of this. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, many more juvenile crimes than adult crimes are committed in groups. And driving statistics conclusively show that having same-age passengers in the car substantially increases the risk of a teen driver’s crashing but has no similar impact when an adult is behind the wheel. After reading that fact, it truly gave me a different perspective of how our peers affect our behavior and ability to decipher right from wrong. It also gave me better understanding of risk and reward in terms of the possible outcomes.
ReplyDelete-Melinda R
Period 6
I am currently in AP Psychology, so this article was not surprising or new to me. It is true that individuals, not only teenagers, change their behavior when their peers surround them. Social loafing is when you are in a group you exert less effort and care less. Group polarization is when individuals’ opinions grow stronger in groups. Deindividuation is when one is in a group he or her will lose their sense of individuality and responsibility, and this relates to this article. I believe this could happen also with adults, but it is more likely to occur for teenagers. Teenagers brains are still developing, so they are wired to learn and be flexible, willing to take risks. I do not believe this is something we can control because we are biologically wired to take more risks, which I learned in psychology. Although, it is not smart to ignore the costs and magnify the rewards, if we do not take risks how are we suppose to learn and succeed? I believe that the more risks we take the better. Yes, it would be better if we take safe risks, but we can not control that if it is hardwired.
ReplyDeleteLauren S. Period 6
I am currently in AP Psychology, so this article was not surprising or new to me. It is true that individuals, not only teenagers, change their behavior when their peers surround them. Social loafing is when you are in a group you exert less effort and care less. Group polarization is when individuals’ opinions grow stronger in groups. Deindividuation is when one is in a group he or her will lose their sense of individuality and responsibility, and this relates to this article. I believe this could happen also with adults, but it is more likely to occur for teenagers. Teenagers brains are still developing, so they are wired to learn and be flexible, willing to take risks. I do not believe this is something we can control because we are biologically wired to take more risks, which I learned in psychology. Although, it is not smart to ignore the costs and magnify the rewards, if we do not take risks how are we suppose to learn and succeed? I believe that the more risks we take the better. Yes, it would be better if we take safe risks, but we cannot control that if it is hardwired.
ReplyDeleteLauren S. Period 6
We discussed this idea in AP Psyc. Teenagers do more risky things when there are more of their peers watching rather than when they are alone. I believe in this statement because why would a teen do something risky when no one is looking. They want to show others they are risky and daring when others are watching so they can have the cool fact to them.
ReplyDeleteVG Prd 6
I find it interesting how risk can change with age as shown by this article. Even though not all teenagers are risk takers, this definitely represents the ones who are.
ReplyDeleteI agree that teens do more reckless things when with their peers than when they are without their friends. Many times teens chose the immediate reward that may be dangerous rather than thinking through the risks. Even the experiment on the mice and their effects of drinking alcohol when their peers are around is true in human teens. Teens don't want to let their friends down by not conforming to their actions.
ReplyDelete- Lauren Thomas
Per. 6
I feel that in society we always feel like were being watched. That constant paranoia to impress others enables us to take risks. As the article states,” Many such studies have found no differences between teenagers and adults, but this may be an artifact of testing people when they were alone, rather than when they were with others, which is frequently the context in which risky choices are made.” So when we think about risk we have a mindset to think only teenagers but we are wrong. I think that many adults take even more risk than some teenagers because they are to uphold a higher level of responsibility; leading to reputations. If you’re the guy who is known to make risks that are positive it is more likely that you will continue making the same choices in front of others. The idea of social groups as well also plays a major role in our decisions. If you’re in a group that doesn’t take risk people will assume that you play it safe. As we grow up we keep our habits we formed as a teenager and those who were major risk takers back then, usually are the ones who keep taking risks later in life.
ReplyDeletePERIOD 6 SRB
I agree with everything said about teenagers being more risky, and have seen an article very similar to this one in psychology. The article in psychology argued the same points, and also said that the riskiness in teens may be hardwired. As a teen myself I see a lot of these reckless decisions being made firsthand, and truly see how long-term smarter outcomes aren't truly thought about in the moment. I thought it was particularly interesting that they did a test on mice to see if what they found about humans also applies with mice. The results of the adolescent mice were surprisingly similar to human adolescence, which was shocking to me because I think that teens would generally be more effected by peer pressure than mice...but I guess you never know?
ReplyDelete-Tara O'Shea (period 6)
Honsetly, I'm not suprised, I think that everyone can conclude that teenagers act more risky in the presence of there peers, it's kind of a no brainer. i do also think that it has something to do with psychology, im no expert nor have i taken the class but, i mean im pretty sure it's all in a persons head of how to act around certain people. you know what i found funny the fact the mice drink more when theyre around their friends, i just found that hilarious, imagine drunk mice, but that's besides the point. the article was very interesting and i agreed with it immensely.
ReplyDeleteAM period 6
I think that a teenagers life is built around the people they surround themselves with. I see adults, even young adults, as far more independent than teenagers. I know a lot of teens that can't even walk through the halls alone without a friend. So in that sense, it makes sense that teens make more risky decisions when around their peers. There is a need to have as many friends as you can have and I think that teens need that because they aren't totally independent. Teens make more risky decisions to try and make more people like them by seeming like an exciting person to be around.
ReplyDelete