Question

Research has shown that many risky behaviors, such as binge drinking and casual sex, increase during early adulthood. At the same time, individuals are becoming more cognitively advanced. Explain why there such a discrepancy between increased cognitive ability and poor decision-making that occurs during this developmental period.

Answer 1

Pleasure seeking tendencies heighten during adolescence and early adulthood phases of development which leads to the senses/sensory elements overriding the cognitive controls in a person. The hormonal changes in the body influences how one may think and act. Response to outside stimuli guaranteeing immediate gratification of the senses and thus perceived as highly rewarding experientially, increases many times during this phase of growth. Even though cognitive abilities like advanced reasoning skills, problem solving, logical thought processing, complex and abstract thinking, comprehension etc develops during early adulthood, it tends to get trodden over by poor impulse control and an inclination towards risk taking behaviors given to peer/social pressure. In short, the discrepancy occurs due to a case of hormones (body) versus the brain (mind).

Answer 2

The discrepancy between increased cognitive ability and poor decision-making during early adulthood can be attributed to several factors:

1. Brain Development: Although cognitive abilities, such as reasoning and problem-solving, improve during early adulthood, the brain regions responsible for impulse control and decision-making, such as the prefrontal cortex, are still developing. This imbalance in brain development can lead to a lag in the maturation of decision-making skills compared to other cognitive abilities.

2. Risk Perception: While cognitive abilities may enhance logical reasoning, individuals in early adulthood often have a heightened perception of invincibility and underestimate the potential consequences of risky behaviors. This biased risk perception can lead to engaging in behaviors that seem exciting or rewarding without fully considering the long-term negative outcomes.

3. Social and Environmental Factors: Early adulthood is a time of increased independence and exposure to new social environments, peer influences, and societal expectations. Social pressures, desire for acceptance, and the influence of peers can override cognitive decision-making processes and lead to engaging in risky behaviors to fit in or experiment.

4. Hormonal Changes: Early adulthood is characterized by hormonal changes, including increased levels of testosterone and other hormones, which can influence behaviors related to risk-taking, impulsivity, and sensation-seeking. These hormonal changes can interact with cognitive processes, leading to a higher likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors.

5. Limited Experience: Early adulthood is a transitional period when individuals are gaining new experiences and transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Limited life experience and exposure to various situations may contribute to poor decision-making as individuals navigate unfamiliar territories without the benefit of prior knowledge or learned consequences.

It is important to note that not all individuals in early adulthood engage in risky behaviors, and there is variation in decision-making abilities among individuals. The factors mentioned above provide a framework for understanding why the discrepancy between increased cognitive ability and poor decision-making can occur during this developmental period, but individual differences and various other factors also play a role.