Using an Evolutionary Framework to Test the Social Functions of Risky Behavior in Emerging Adulthood

Michal Bak, Western University

Abstract

Peer contexts catalyze risky behavior (e.g., alcohol abuse, reckless driving, etc.) in emerging adulthood (ages 18-25), yet potential risk-taking social functions are poorly understood. Two studies motivated by evolutionary theory examined whether risky behaviors address social needs for status and connection in male and female emerging adults.

An experiment in Study 1 examined participant (N = 286; M_age = 18.79; SD_age = 0.79; 125 male; 161 female) perceptions of male and female peer targets after observing them take risks (high vs. low), successfully or unsuccessfully, on a modified Columbia Card Task. Risk-takers were perceived as more dominant and socially appealing, but less prosocial than risk-avoiders, and less intelligent when unsuccessful. The difference in social appeal between risk-takers and risk-avoiders was larger for male than female peer targets at low levels of success. Participants preferred including risk-takers over risk-avoiders in friend groups, but only preferred risk-takers over risk-avoiders for risk-related partnerships at high levels of success. Resource offers to peer targets were not affected by risky behavior in an Ultimatum Game.

In Study 2, a 3-wave longitudinal study tested whether risky behavior engagement rates fluctuated as a function of status, connection, and mate-seeking social need fulfillment. Data collected from two cohorts at 2- (2017) or 3-month intervals (2016) were analyzed separately using Linear Curve Models with Structured Residuals (2016: N = 324; M_Age = 18.58; SD_Age = 1.08; 93 male, 230 female; 2017: N = 262; M_Age = 18.78 years old; SD_Age = 0.92; 86 male, 175 female). Findings relating risky behavior to social motives and outcomes associated with status and mate-seeking received little support. In the 2017 cohort, acceptance motives predicted greater risk-taking propensity in male participants but lower risky behavior rates in female participants. Risk-taking predicted less loneliness in the 2016 cohort, though concurrent negative associations between these variables were found in both cohorts.

The overall findings show some support for evolutionary perspectives as risky behaviors communicated characteristics for status-enhancement and connection in both male and female emerging adults. However, evidence from Study 2 suggests risk-taking may primarily function to promote social acceptance in males.