With a focus on adolescents, this volume explores such questions as: whether similarities exist between different types of risk taking, such as mountain climbing and criminal behaviour; whether an examination of risk-taking behaviour will shed light on problem behaviours such as unprotected sex; and whether there are positive aspects to adolescent risk taking.



With contributions from psychology, sociology, medicine and public policy, the volume uses risk taking as a framework to study many dangerous, and often life-threatening, adolescent behaviours. Following a review of research, topics discussed include theories of risky choice, the use of rational choice theory in predicting heightened risk taking, sociobiological factors and intervention programmes.