Explain the personal fable in reference to adolescent egocentrism.

Answers will vary. In the personal fable, one believes that one's thoughts and emotions are special and unique. It also refers to the common adolescent belief that one is invulnerable. The personal fable is connected with such behaviors as showing off and risk taking. Many adolescents form risky online relationships with strangers. Many adolescents assume that they can smoke with impunity. Cancer? "It can't happen to me," or, "I've got years and years to think about that." They may drive recklessly. They often engage in spontaneous, unprotected sexual activity, allowing the biological drive to rule them and possibly assuming that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies happen to other people, not to them. Many adolescents believe that their parents and other adults-even their peers-could never feel what they are feeling or know the depth of their passions.