Final answer:
Adolescents tend to engage in risk-taking behaviors influenced by hormonal changes, brain development, and social dynamics, such as increased peer influence and a desire for independence. Different rates of maturation also play a role in risk behaviors, with early developers facing different challenges compared to late bloomers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Over time, adolescents may exhibit an increase in risk-taking behaviors due to various interrelated factors, including hormonal changes, social influences, and brain development. During adolescent development, individuals experience significant psychosocial changes, including the development of a personal identity and a system of moral and ethical values.
Contrary to common misconceptions, adolescents are not necessarily more impulsive across the board, as research indicates that they think and reason about risks and rewards similar to adults. However, teens might still be more likely to take chances due to a biological propensity for risk-taking, believed by some scientists to have evolutionary benefits for independence and family formation.