Which statement about youth perceptions and risk is true?

Which statement about youth perceptions and risk is true?

• A. There is no relation.
• B. A positive expectation increases risk.
• C. A negative expectation increases risk.
• D. Expectations do not influence behavior.

Answer: (B)

Youth risk-taking is driven by what young people expect will come from a risky act. When someone believes that a risk will bring something positive—like excitement, social status, or a sense of belonging—they assign higher value to that action and are more likely to engage in it. This positive expectancy makes the perceived benefits outweigh the costs, increasing the likelihood of taking the risk. In contrast, anticipating negative outcomes or harms makes the risk seem less attractive and the behavior less likely. So the statement that a positive expectation increases risk captures how beliefs about likely outcomes influence youth decisions. The ideas that there’s no relation or that expectations don’t influence behavior don’t fit with how adolescents weigh potential rewards and costs in their choices.

Youth risk-taking is driven by what young people expect will come from a risky act. When someone believes that a risk will bring something positive—like excitement, social status, or a sense of belonging—they assign higher value to that action and are more likely to engage in it. This positive expectancy makes the perceived benefits outweigh the costs, increasing the likelihood of taking the risk. In contrast, anticipating negative outcomes or harms makes the risk seem less attractive and the behavior less likely. So the statement that a positive expectation increases risk captures how beliefs about likely outcomes influence youth decisions. The ideas that there’s no relation or that expectations don’t influence behavior don’t fit with how adolescents weigh potential rewards and costs in their choices.