Final answer:
Teenagers might engage in risky behavior due to peer pressure or their stage of brain development, which can lead them to underestimate risks and overestimate rewards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Teenagers might engage in risky behavior for various reasons. One reason could be the influence of peer pressure, where teenagers may feel compelled to adopt certain behaviors to fit in with their social group, even if such behaviors pose risks. For example, they might engage in substance abuse or reckless driving just because their peers are doing so.
A second reason could be linked to their stage of brain development. The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and decision-making, is still maturing during adolescence. This immature stage of brain development can lead teenagers to underestimate risks and overestimate rewards, resulting in engagement in risky activities.
Learn more about Risky Behavior