Teens are likely to take more risks when they think their friends are watching, according to Temple University. Researchers asked adults and teens to play a video driving game and receive cash prizes if they finish the game within a defined time frame; half of the time they played alone and during the other half, they were told two same-sex friends were watching from another room.
Both teen boys and girls ran 40% more yellow lights and had 60% more crashes when they knew friends were watching. There were no meaningful differences in performance among adults, regardless of whether their friends were watching.
Researchers say these findings reinforce the need to closely supervise teens, but that teens eventually grow out of this behavior. [Human Behavior]
Source: Temple University, Laurence Steinberg, Author, Department of Psychology, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19122; 215-204-7485; lds@temple.edu; www.temple.edu.
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