Which factors contribute to risky health behaviours?

• A. Social relationships, interactions, and cultural norms.
• B. Genetic makeup alone.
• C. Government policy only.
• D. Climate conditions.

Answer: (A)

Social context shapes how people view risk and decide which behaviours to engage in. We learn a lot from friends, family, and the wider culture, and there’s often pressure to follow what peers consider normal. This can make risky activities, like smoking, heavy drinking, unsafe sex, or skipping medical care, seem acceptable or even expected. The norms and interactions people are exposed to also influence what resources are available or valued—supportive networks can encourage protective choices, while stressful or harmful environments can push toward riskier ones. Genetics, while relevant to some predispositions, doesn’t by itself determine behavior; and policy or climate can influence outcomes, but they operate through how people and communities respond in everyday life. So, the social relationships and cultural norms primarily shape whether and how risky health behaviours are adopted.