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Neural correlates of social influence on risk perception during development
Social Neuroscience
|February 25, 2020
Summary
Adolescents conform more to peer risk perceptions than adults, especially when influenced by adults. Brain imaging reveals distinct neural activity in adolescents versus adults during social risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Adolescents exhibit heightened risk-taking behavior in social contexts compared to adults.
- Risk perception in adolescents is more susceptible to peer influence than adult guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of social influence on risk perception in female adolescents and adults.
- To examine age-related differences in behavioral and neural responses to social influence on risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to study female adolescents (12-14 years) and adults (23-29 years).
- Participants rated the riskiness of situations, were exposed to social influence (teenager or adult ratings), and re-rated the situations.
- Brain activation patterns were analyzed during conditions of conflict and no-conflict with social influence.
Main Results:
- Adolescents demonstrated greater conformity to social influence than adults.
- Both age groups were more influenced by adult ratings than by teenager ratings.
- Conflict between personal and social risk ratings increased activation in medial frontal and cingulate cortex; adults showed greater activation in frontal and parietal regions during no-conflict situations.
Conclusions:
- Significant behavioral and neural differences exist between adolescents and adults in response to social influence on risk perception.
- Adolescents' heightened susceptibility to social influence is supported by distinct neural processing patterns.
- The findings highlight the critical role of social context in adolescent decision-making and brain development.
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