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Updated: May 18, 2026
13:04
Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods
Published on: September 19, 2012
Adolescents' risk-taking behavior is driven by tolerance to ambiguity
Agnieszka Tymula1, Lior A Rosenberg Belmaker, Amy K Roy
1Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA. tymula@nyu.edu
Summary
Adolescents may not be risk-seekers but rather tolerant of uncertainty. This study found adolescents prefer ambiguous situations over known risks, suggesting a higher tolerance for the unknown drives their behavior.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral economics
- Adolescent psychology
- Decision-making under uncertainty
Background:
- Adolescents exhibit higher rates of mortality and morbidity compared to younger peers.
- The reasons behind adolescent risk-taking behaviors are not fully understood, prompting investigation into underlying preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adolescent attitudes toward risk and ambiguity.
- To determine if adolescents are inherently risk-seeking or if other factors influence their behavior.
Main Methods:
- Employed standard experimental economic methods to assess risk and ambiguity tolerance.
- Evaluated 65 participants aged 12 to 50.
Main Results:
- Adolescents demonstrated greater aversion to clearly defined risks than older adults.
- Adolescents showed a higher willingness to accept ambiguous conditions where outcomes are unknown.
- Unlike adults, adolescents found ambiguous monetary lotteries tolerable.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent risk-taking may stem from a heightened tolerance for ambiguity and the unknown.
- This tolerance could facilitate learning and adaptation in young individuals.
- Informing adolescents about risks and benefits may be an effective policy, complementing experience-limiting measures.
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