Journal article

Is it all in the reward? Peers influence risk-taking behaviour in young adulthood

Renate LEP Reniers, Amanda Beavan, Louise Keogan, Andrea Furneaux, Samantha Mayhew, Stephen J Wood

BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY | WILEY | Published : 2017

Abstract

The presence of peers is suggested to increase risk-taking behaviour by heightening response to reward. The current study investigated this using a computerized financial risk-taking task which was performed twice by a group of young adults (n = 201, median age 19.8 years): once alone and once while in the presence of two peers. An overall increase in risk-taking was observed when with peers compared to when alone (CHANGE). CHANGE was positively associated with self-reported levels of reward responsiveness and fun seeking while older age and lack of perseverance were associated with reduced CHANGE. The association between risk-taking when with peers and both resistance to the influence of pe..

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University of Melbourne Researchers