According to research in developmental psychology, emerging adults often fail to develop health-promoting habits because they

• A. typically have more chronic health conditions than older adults
• B. have fully developed prefrontal cortexes that always guide rational decision-making
• C. are less influenced by peer pressure than older adults
• D. tend to underestimate the long-term consequences of their behaviors

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key concept in the question: emerging adults' health behaviors and decision-making in developmental psychology.
2. Understand the role of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational decision-making and impulse control, and note that it is still developing in emerging adults.
3. Recognize that emerging adults often engage in risky behaviors because they tend to focus on immediate rewards rather than long-term consequences.
4. Consider how peer pressure influences behavior, noting that emerging adults are often more, not less, influenced by peers compared to older adults.
5. Conclude that the main reason emerging adults fail to develop health-promoting habits is their tendency to underestimate the long-term consequences of their behaviors.