Adolescent Decision-Making

• Published in: Encyclopedia of Adolescence Vol. 1; pp. 30 - 37
• Main Author: Halpern-Felsher, B.L.
• Format: Reference Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 2011
• Subjects: Brain development; Decision models; Decision-making; Dual-process models; Health risks; Normative decision-making; Personal experience; Psychosocial maturity; Rational decision-making; Risk behaviors; Risk judgments; Risk perceptions; Decision-making; Personal experience; Risk behaviors; Risk perceptions; Decision models; Brain development; Health risks; Normative decision-making; Dual-process models; Psychosocial maturity; Rational decision-making; Risk judgments
• ISBN: 9780123739155; 0123739152; 0123739519; 9780123739513
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-373951-3.00010-7

Adolescence is a time of increased desire for decision-making opportunities, with some decisions subject to restriction. Learning to make decisions, experience related positive and negative consequences, learn from these outcomes, and navigate the multiple influences on decision-making is an important developmental task for adolescents. This article provides an overview of adolescent decision-making, including definitions of competent decision-making and decision-making models, and the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and contextual influences on adolescent decision-making. This article also discusses implications of adolescent decision-making that are relevant to health educators, healthcare providers, policy makers, and adolescent researchers.