Chapter Two/Neuroscience Perspective on Adolescent Risk-Taking

Whereas last week the article resonated more with me than the text this time it was in the opposite way. Perhaps this is because as Dr. Baker suggested a lot of us our more into the psychological aspects of the brain as opposed to the neurological aspects. The main reason that I could not relate to the Steinberg (2008) article is because I was not much of a risk-taker during my adolescence.  I feel that programs such as D.A.R.E. and the like were very instrumental to me. They scared me into a “straight edge” lifestyle. If the biggest factors are social and emotional such as Steinberg’s research suggests I agree with the latter because I did not have much of a social life as a teenager. However, I can admit that I was not the typical teenager and was more of an outlier. I do, however, agree with the belief that rewarding things are seemingly much more rewarding because of peers during adolescents but again I cannot apply this to thrill seeking. I also agree with the empirical evidence from Chassin in the article that one is inclined to do what their peers are doing. Since my peers weren’t engaging in risk-taking behaviors neither was I. All of that notwithstanding I am a huge fan of the many ways in which the article linked the psychological and neurological aspects as a multi-faceted approach is certainly the best way to approach helping someone and will be truly beneficial to adolescent counselors.

As for the text, growing up I always believed in childhood development being the key component in shaping one’s adulthood and personality.  When I was 13 and first moved back to Philadelphia I believed that the reason I was so different than my peers was because of the whole “Nature vs Nurture” dichotomy. But as I grew up I found that while my morals and ethics in regards to multicultural acceptance and wanting to help others remained a lot of my personality eventually changed. I think this was further emphasized this past week as in Theory & Practice II last week we were to remember “early recollections” and I could not remember anything.

What I thoroughly liked about this chapter that I actually had never heard of despite learning of Erikson several times before was the psychological moratorium. It reminds me a lot of something we’re very aware of here in Lancaster of Rumspringa. Although I think some Amish might be judged for what they do during Rumspringa the notion of being able to explore yourself, at such an impressionable age during your adolescence, with no consequences is such an interesting concept. A lot of teenagers are susceptible to what their peers think as evidenced by the Steinberg article and the security of knowing that they are fully free to explore the person they want to become without fear of judgement from that critical aspect of their lives is huge in my opinion. The question, however, is how truly applicable is such a thing in today’s society?

Corey, G. & Corey, M.S. (2008). I never knew I had a choice: Exploration in personal growth (9th

                   Edition). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole

Steinberg, L. (2008). A Social Neuroscience Perspective on Adolescent Risk-Taking. Developmental

Review, 28(1), 78-106.