Social Influence on Risk Perception During Adolescence

Abstract

Adolescence is a period of life in which peer relationships become increasingly important. Adolescents have a greater likelihood of taking risks when they are with peers rather than alone. In this study, we investigated the development of social influence on risk perception from late childhood through adulthood. Five hundred and sixty-three participants rated the riskiness of everyday situations and were then informed about the ratings of a social-influence group (teenagers or adults) before rating each situation again. All age groups showed a significant social-influence effect, changing their risk ratings in the direction of the provided ratings; this social-influence effect decreased with age. Most age groups adjusted their ratings more to conform to the ratings of the adult social-influence group than to the ratings of the teenager social-influence group. Only young adolescents were more strongly influenced by the teenager social-influence group than they were by the adult social-influence group, which suggests that to early adolescents, the opinions of other teenagers about risk matter more than the opinions of adults.

Communicating with children and adolescents about the risk of natural disasters

“…People’s risk perceptions seem to be affected by social influence (Knoll, Magis-Weinberg, Speekenbrink, & Blakemore, 2015). People decide on their reaction from listening and watching what others say and do.…”

“…All age groups, except 12–14-year-olds, are more influenced by adults, which is consistent with other studies showing that expertise and status are strong predictors of social influence (Driskell & Mullen, 1990; Engelmann, Moore, Monica Capra, & Berns, 2012; Jetten, Hornsey, & Adarves-Yorno, 2006). When it comes to the young adolescents, on the other hand, this group values more what other teenagers say (Knoll et al, 2015). It is likely, therefore, that interventions directed towards younger age groups should emphasize social influence to a larger extent and adjust the programmes accordingly.…”

Age differences in the prosocial influence effect

“…Previous research has shown that susceptibility to social influence is at its highest in late childhood (approximately age 8–10 years) then gradually decreases across the adolescent years (approximately 11–18 years) and into adulthood (19 years and above; Knoll, Leung, Foulkes, & Blakemore, 2017; Knoll, Magis‐Weinberg, Speekenbrink, & Blakemore, 2015; Steinberg & Monahan, 2007; Sumter, Bokhorst, Steinberg, & Westenberg, 2009). As such, relative to adults, children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to being influenced by others.…”

“…Knowing that peers are engaging in substance use (alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs) increases the likelihood of adolescent substance use (Lundborg, 2006). Children and adolescents, compared to adults, are also more likely to change their perception of risky behaviours based on other people's perception of those risks (Knoll et al., 2015). …”

“…A previous study of social influence on risk perception assessed whether information from adolescents or adults had more impact on changing participants' perception of risk (Knoll et al., 2015). In this study, participants were asked to rate the riskiness of everyday scenarios.…”