THE INFLUENCE OF PEERS
"If Johnny jumps off a cliff are you going to jump, too"? This is a cliché used often by parents wanting to convince their children that doing what "everyone else does" is not always a good idea.
For example, binge drinking is an increasing problem on college campuses, often with dire consequences (e.g., alcohol poisoning, unprotected sex, expulsion from school). Given the consequences, one wonders what compels college students to engage in such risky behavior. We know that fitting in—being accepted by others—is a primary motive for doing what others do. In this case, conforming to one’s referent group’s norms (i.e., getting drunk is cool) gains one’s acceptance to that group (Talbott, Wilkinson, Moore, & Usdan, 2014; Wardell & Read, 2013). Refusal to comply means rejection by the group.
Binge drinking, clearly, is not in the best interest of individual college students, unless you consider the importance of belonging to and acceptance by the group.
For this Discussion, you explore persuasion strategies with respect to the effects of peer influence on behavior.
Sample Solution
Peer influence is a powerful force that can shape our behavior. We are more likely to conform to the norms of our peer group, even if those norms are harmful or dangerous. This is because we want to be accepted and liked by our peers.
There are a number of persuasion strategies that can be used to reduce the effects of peer influence on behavior. These strategies can be used by individuals, parents, and educators to help young people make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors.
Full Answer Section
One persuasion strategy is to provide information about the negative consequences of peer pressure. This can help young people to understand the risks involved in conforming to harmful norms. For example, if a young person is considering binge drinking, they can be provided with information about the risks of alcohol poisoning, unprotected sex, and academic failure. This information can help them to make a more informed decision about whether or not to participate in binge drinking. Another persuasion strategy is to teach young people how to resist peer pressure. This can be done by teaching them assertiveness skills, such as how to say no to requests that they are uncomfortable with. It can also be helpful to teach young people how to identify and challenge the negative messages that they may be receiving from their peers. For example, if a young person's friends are telling them that they need to drink in order to be cool, they can be taught how to challenge this message and assert their own values. Parents and educators can also play a role in reducing the effects of peer pressure on behavior. Parents can talk to their children about the dangers of peer pressure and teach them how to resist it. Educators can incorporate lessons about peer pressure into their curriculum and provide students with opportunities to practice resisting peer pressure in a safe environment. By using these persuasion strategies, we can help young people to make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors. We can also help them to develop the skills they need to resist peer pressure and stand up for themselves. In addition to the persuasion strategies mentioned above, there are a number of other things that can be done to reduce the effects of peer influence on behavior. These include:- Encouraging young people to develop strong self-esteem. Young people with high self-esteem are less likely to be influenced by their peers.
- Helping young people to develop a sense of purpose. Young people who have a sense of purpose in life are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.
- Providing young people with positive role models. Young people who have positive role models are less likely to be influenced by negative peer pressure.
- Creating a supportive environment. Young people who feel supported by their family, friends, and community are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.