Two key reasons why teenagers would want to engage in risky behavior are:
- Sensation Seeking and Desire for Novelty : Teenagers are often driven by a desire for excitement, new experiences, and thrill. The part of the brain that responds to rewards and sensation develops earlier than the part responsible for impulse control, making teens seek out adventurous and stimulating activities for the "rush" or adrenaline. Risky behaviors can provide this sense of thrill and help teenagers explore their identities and boundaries.
- Social Rewards and Peer Pressure : Teenagers often want to gain social acceptance, approval, or status among their peer groups. Engaging in risky behavior can sometimes be a way for teens to fit in, be seen as "cool," or impress others. Because teens tend to overestimate how common risky behaviors are among their peers, peer influence can strongly encourage risk-taking as a means of belonging or conforming.
Thus, teenagers' engagement in risky behavior is a complex interplay of seeking excitement and social motivation driven by developmental and environmental factors.
