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Chapter 2 – Cognitive Transitions
Adolescents are more likely to participate in risky behavior due to their egocentrism
especially due to personal fables. The personal fable is the “an adolescent’s belief that they are
unique” (Steinberg, 45) as are their experiences and feelings and they feel as though no one else
has ever felt and/or experienced the same things as them. Adolescents’ believe that since they’re
the only ones experiencing difficulties and that no one would understand, they don’t feel as if
they can turn to and/or talk to others resulting in various consequences. Personal fables also
contribute to adolescents’ illusion of invulnerability. The illusion of invulnerability is the belief
that if one were to participate in a dangerous or reckless act or behavior, they would face no
consequences. For example, adolescences who may be sexually active do not think of the
possibility that she might get pregnant or he might get someone pregnant. Although adolescents
