Which of the following best explains why teens who consume alcohol are more likely to engage in risky behaviors?

• A. Teens who drink alcohol are less influenced by peer pressure, so they act independently.
• B. Teens who drink alcohol have a higher tolerance for stress, so they seek out risky situations.
• C. Alcohol impairs judgment and reduces inhibitions, making teens more likely to take risks.
• D. Alcohol increases cognitive functioning, leading teens to make more calculated decisions.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of alcohol on the brain, particularly how it affects cognitive functions such as judgment and inhibition.
2. Step 2: Recognize that alcohol consumption impairs the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control.
3. Step 3: Connect the impairment of judgment and reduction of inhibitions caused by alcohol to an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the other options by considering whether they align with established psychological and neuroscientific evidence about alcohol's effects on teens.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best explanation is that alcohol impairs judgment and reduces inhibitions, which leads to increased risk-taking among teens.