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Which hypothesis suggests that adolescents will accept more gambles compared to adults?

  1. Adolescents have less access to rewards

  2. Adolescents will exhibit greater behavioural sensitivity

  3. Adolescents prioritize social interactions

  4. Adolescents avoid risky behaviour

The correct answer is: Adolescents will exhibit greater behavioural sensitivity

The hypothesis that adolescents will exhibit greater behavioural sensitivity is supported by research indicating that adolescents are generally more responsive to the potential rewards of risky choices, including gambling. This heightened sensitivity can be attributed to ongoing brain development during adolescence, particularly in areas associated with reward processing and decision-making, such as the ventral striatum. This increased behavioural sensitivity means that adolescents may perceive greater benefits or excitement from gambling experiences compared to adults, who might be more cautious due to fully developed cognitive assessments that incorporate long-term consequences. While the other options may address aspects of adolescent behavior, they do not directly link to the rationale behind why adolescents are more inclined to accept gambles at a higher rate than adults.