The characteristics of adolescence that we typically view as risk factors—such as risk taking propensity, sensation seeking, and susceptibility to peers—do not inherently lead to negative outcomes. In the right contexts, these exact qualities may lead to adaptive decisions. The ADAPT lab aims to examine how adolescents’ sociocultural environments interact with their biology and their psychology to shape their behavior and to identify which contexts promote adaptive decision-making and positive developmental outcomes. We do this through three overlapping lines of inquiry: (1) positive risk taking, (2) social and biological influences on decision-making, and (3) cross-national comparisons of behavior. To learn more about these research streams as well as ongoing and future projects in the ADAPT lab, read below.
POSITIVE RISK TAKING IN ADOLESCENCE
Adolescents are primed to take risks. Oftentimes, this propensity for risk leads adolescents to engage in undesirable behaviors like substance use and delinquency. However, not all risk taking is problematic. In fact, evolutionary perspectives suggest risk taking is a normative and adaptive part of adolescence. My research seeks to identify risk behaviors that help adolescents meet key developmental milestones (e.g., identity development, independence, skill building) in developmentally appropriate and socially acceptable ways. Moreover, my research on positive risk taking explores the factors that promote positive risk taking as well as the domains of adolescents’ lives for which positive risk taking is most beneficial.
The Positive Trajectories study aims to follow adolescents throughout high school to examine the antecedents and outcomes of positive risk taking. This study is currently in the beginning stages of development. We are beginning by recruiting a Youth Advisory Board to help formulate our key research questions for this study. If you are teen who is interested, please visit the “Participate!” tab!
SOCIAL AND BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON DECISION-MAKING
Adolescents’ social environments interact with their biology to influence behavior. My research aims to identify how the social context influences links between biology (e.g., hormone concentrations and brain activation) and behavior.
The Interpersonal Dynamics study seeks to examine the influence of interpersonal interactions on our stress physiology and cognitive functioning. How do our body’s respond during social interactions and how does this response influence our decision-making? This study is currently recruiting research participants. Please visit the “Participate!” tab if you’re interested!
Cross-National Comparisons of Behavior
Scientific knowledge about adolescent decision-making is based largely in research with samples from White, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (“WEIRD”) countries (Nielsen et al., 2017). Yet individuals growing up across the world are exposed to different societal norms with varied opportunities. To this end, my cross-cultural research examines the generalizability of common theories of adolescent behavior among adolescents from cultures and societies that vary in socioeconomic status, cultural values, and opportunities.
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