Most adolescents are characterized by taking risky behavior like drinking alcohol and driving recklessly. The precise rationale for this behavior has no explanation. However, scholars have majored on this topic and have come up with different position explaining what they think might be the cause for this behavior. In this context, both Lawrence Steinberg and Robert Epstein make some positive points which could be the possible reasons for the risk-taking nature of the adolescents ( Epstein, 2007). Though the two authors give opposing points, there stand can well understand. According to Lawrence Steinberg, these are behaviors which are noticed in adolescents due to their nature. According to him, there are different changes which take place among the adolescents which makes them engage in risky decision making. According to him, there is a strong link between the cognitive developments and the risky behaviors in an adolescent. This kind of assertion is true especially when it is considered that there are instances where some behaviors are tied to particular adolescents and not others. Further, Steinburg argues that both social, emotional network and cognitive network are critical in control this risk-taking behavior in adolescents ( Steinberg, 2007). According to him, risk-taking is more prone mostly when an individual is a group. His assertion is true since most ado scents involve in risky behaviors when they are in-group than when they spend time alone. Decide between taking alcohol; it is very difficult to find adolescents misbehaving with alcohol when they are alone; they are usually is a group of two or three.
On the other hand, Epstein tries to refute Steinberg points by explaining that it is not nature alone which contribute mainly contributing to the risky decision making in adolescents but nurture such as the culture of the adolescents. What is important to note in this case is that Robert tries to tie the contribution of the cognitive to the risky behavior in adolescents to some cultural impact ( Santrock, 2009). To him, it is not merely the traits which control this decision but also other alternatives must be considered. This point is critical since it gives an alternative in explaining the rationale behind the risk tracing behavior among the adolescents.
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Students one
I like how the student presents Michael Male’s point to refute Lawrence points. According to the student, Lawrence has done well in explaining how both emotional and cognitive network factors interplay to bring about the issues of risk-taking behavior among the adolescents. The student gives credit to this explanation, though, the student further points at the refuting points and explaining the version of the "No" side. According to the students, the "No" side as explained by Daniel claim that there is too much emphasis on the way the scholars such as Lawrence perceive the issue of risk-taking behavior among the adolescents. The claim which is easy to notice and understand in this case is that more focus is given to risk-taking behaviors on adolescents than other groups such as adults.
Student two
I like how the student presents the arguments of the two opposing side. The student has stated the preference side and give a reason for the support. According to the student, Male presents his point in a neutral manner by stating that what is important is that more research should be done on this topic to get a different variety of opinion to help in finding the correct answer. This is different from Lawrence who makes assertive but variety of conflicting points on this particular topic
References
Epstein, R. (2007). The myth of the teen brain. Scientific American Mind , 18 (2), 56-63.
Santrock, J. W. (2009). Life-span development (No. Sirsi) i9780073370217). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
Steinberg, L. (2007). Risk taking in adolescence: New perspectives from brain and behavioral science. Current directions in psychological science , 16 (2), 55-59.
