How you approach risk may depend on whether you grew up with strong social ties or economic resources, according to a new Cornell study. Researchers found that while both groups take similar risks, their brains rely on different regions to make those decisions.
Using brain scans during a risk-based game, 43 students were evaluated based on their childhood experiences. Those with social support but less money showed increased brain activity in areas tied to attention and vision—especially if their current support systems were weak. A key brain region, the supramarginal gyrus, appeared more active in cautious participants.
The study suggests that early life experiences calibrate how people navigate uncertainty. Researchers believe these insights could inform student support services and public policy by aligning aid with the resources individuals are already equipped to use.
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