Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
06:11
A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
Published on: February 20, 2019
6.8K
The triadic systems model perspective and adolescent risk taking
Teena Willoughby1, Royette Tavernier1, Chloe Hamza1
1Department of Psychology, Brock University, Canada.
Brain and Cognition
|December 11, 2013
Summary
Adolescent risk-taking is linked to brain development, but research is mixed. Considering individual traits, situations, and a lifespan view is crucial for understanding behavior and neural systems.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The triadic systems model describes interactions between the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and amygdala.
- Adolescent risk-taking is theorized to stem from asynchronous brain maturation and connectivity.
- Existing research on this model and risk-taking is inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on adolescent risk-taking in the context of the triadic systems model.
- To highlight the need for considering trait and situational factors.
- To emphasize a lifespan perspective in understanding neural systems and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and commentary on existing research.
- Analysis of studies linking neural development to risk-taking behavior.
- Discussion of the triadic systems model's applicability across development.
Main Results:
- Evidence linking the triadic systems model to risk-taking differences is equivocal.
- Few studies connect neural development to real-world adolescent behavior.
- Trait and situational factors significantly influence the association between neural systems and behavior.
Conclusions:
- Understanding adolescent risk-taking requires integrating trait and situational conditions.
- A lifespan perspective is essential for a comprehensive view of neural development and behavior.
- Further research should bridge neural system models with observable, real-world actions.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
468
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
468
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
2.2K
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
2.2K
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
824
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
824
01:26Marcia's Theory of Identity Status
2.6K
James Marcia's identity status model provides a framework for understanding how adolescents navigate identity formation through varying degrees of exploration and commitment. Marcia's model builds on Erik Erikson's theories of psychosocial development, focusing specifically on how adolescents reconcile individual aspirations with societal expectations. His model describes identity formation as a dynamic process where adolescents move between different states depending on their level...
2.6K
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
1.0K
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
1.0K
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
1.5K
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
1.5K