Citation

Silva K, Chein J, Steinberg L. J. Soc. Pers. Relat. 2020; 37(5): 1405-1415.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0265407519899712

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Studies show that young men's tendency to take risks may be exacerbated or attenuated in different social contexts. Despite widespread evidence that social context influences young men's risk-taking, few studies have examined the impact of romantic partners on risky decision-making. The present study examined risk-taking among young men in relationships with women (n = 134, ages 18-24) randomly assigned to be tested alone (n = 47), in the presence of their romantic partner (n = 44), or in the presence of an attractive female stranger (n = 43). The presence of a romantic partner diminished young men's tendency to take risks.

FINDINGS demonstrate that a dampening effect on risk-taking is attributable to the romantic partner's presence and not merely due to knowledge of being in a relationship.

Language: en