Greene and colleagues sampled adolescents and college students to examine relative contributions of egocentrism and sensation seeking to risk-taking behavior. Results indicate a latent factor labeled risk seeking (primarily indicated by disinhibition and risk taking personality, and to a lesser degree by invulnerability, experience-seeking, boredom susceptibility, and thrill and adventure seeking) indeed predicted a latent factor labeled delinquent behavior.

Delinquent behavior was primarily indicated by alcohol consumption and delinquency, and to a lesser degree by drug use, drinking and driving, and risky driving. Other results indicate consistently high personal fable combined with high sensation seeking explained most risk-taking behavior.

To read the complete research, check here:

Grenne, K et al. “Targeting adolescent risk-taking behaviors: the contributions of egocentrism and sensation-seeking.” Journal of Adolescence. Vol 23: 439-461. 2000.