In this episode, I am joined by Simon Ciranka, a cognitive scientist and developmental psychologist, to explore why teens take risks. Dr. Ciranka explains that parts of the brain that pursue rewards develop early, while parts that control impulses develop later. This imbalance makes teens especially sensitive to rewards like positive feelings and experiences. We also discuss the role of environmental factors. Since severe consequences are rare, teens often experience the rewards of risky behavior without facing immediate negative outcomes. This can foster a false sense of security and diminish caution. Societal guardrails, such as legal age limits for driving or drinking, further shape when and how adolescents take risks. Our conversation extends to peer relationships, which can have both positive and negative effects. While peers can offer valuable lessons from others' mistakes, they can also push teens toward riskier decisions. Teens often think risky behaviors are more common among their peers than they really are, which can lead to more risk-taking. We also explore effective strategies for reducing dysfunctional risk-taking, such as early education and correcting wrong beliefs about how common risky behaviors are. By the end of this episode, listeners will better understand why teens take risks—not as a sign of recklessness, but as a complex interplay of developmental, social, and environmental factors.

Access the full show notes for this episode at www.unravelingbehavior.org.

Timestamps

(00:00) Introduction

(01:04) Brain development in teens and sensitivity to rewards

(05:28) Adolescent risk-taking isn’t just about brain imbalances

(06:14) Risk-taking in college students

(07:15) Laboratory studies vs. real-world findings

(10:08) Legal age limits and chances to take risks

(13:05) The “Law of Effect” and its role in shaping future behavior

(14:40) Teens can feel safer than they really are

(18:27) Cumulative risks and severe harms

(22:49) Brain imbalances and the environment

(23:49) The purpose of risk-taking

(27:38) The importance of early education

(29:58) Learning from others’ mistakes

(32:28) Teens misjudge how often their peers take risks

(35:15) Correcting wrong beliefs through school interventions

(36:28) Summary