June 25, 2023
Written/Edited by: Mana & Fidha
We are all susceptible to peer pressure
While you’ve probably heard it a thousand times, the following still remains true: we are all very susceptible to peer pressure. Although many would disagree, it goes without saying that peer pressure is a heavily integrated part of society, and it is prevalent amongst all age groups (from children to adults). And summer tends to lend itself to many opportunities where peer pressure may arise.
While it is disheartening that peer pressure is a prevalent issue in our community, new research shows interesting trends in teenagers’ resistance to peer pressure, and we’ve compiled a list of ways to overcome the trap of peer pressure. Before we get into those ways to avoid peer pressure, let’s start by understanding why peer pressure exists in the first place.
What Conformity Research Tells Us
According the American Psychological Association, peer pressure is defined as the “influence exerted by a peer group on its individual members to fit in with or conform to the group's norms and expectations.”[1] The APA also further explains that peer pressure can have positive socialization value, however, it typically leads to negative consequences on mental and/or physical health.
Conformity research has been conducted for decades, and we’ve found similar results throughout the years. Psychologists have found that there are two outstanding reasons for conformity: informational social influence and normative social influence. [2] Informational social influence refers to when we are faced with ambiguous situations in which we adapt to the information of others to understand reality, while normative social influence refers to the influence of wanting others to like us, which results in our conformity. Typically, peer pressure can be associated more with normative social influence than informational, however, there are definitely outlying cases.
One of the most ground-breaking experiments was one conducted by psychologist Soloman Asch, now more commonly known as Asch’s Conformity Experiment. In this study, Asch led an experiment with groups of adults placed into groups of 8, however 7 of these participants were confederates (or participants who were used as actors). The group would have everyone look at the three lines and decide which is the longest. In conducting this experiment, Asch found that nearly 75% of the naive participants agreed with the rest of the group at least once, even though the answer was very clear. [3]
While the case is commonly studied in psychology classes, certain elements of Asch’s experiment are not heavily discussed. Asch found that when people are placed in situations, such as these, that may lend themselves to group polarization (the tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members), there are three distinct types of conformers: those with distortion of perception under the stress of group pressure (not even aware of the distortion occurring; don’t even think they are wrong), distortion of judgment (feeling you are incorrect because the majority is usually right–most common), and distortion of action (knowing you are wrong but conforming to avoid confrontation).
Now, something more hopeful and interesting that researchers have found is that resistance to peer pressure actually increases on a linear scale from the ages of 14 to 18. [4] What does this mean for us? Well, according to research done by Dev Psychol, from the ages of 10 to 13 we are especially susceptible to peer pressure, however, from the ages of 14 to 18, we gradually build our ability to resist peer pressure, which eventually plateaus after 18. This means that actions and precautionary methods used in teenage years are the most effective for our future interactions with peer pressure, and that we have the easiest time developing these skills in our teenage years.
Ways to Avoid Peer Pressure
Ask the person peer pressuring you many questions. It seems like a strange method, but experts such as Alison Bell from Teen Magazine suggest it, as it makes the person less likely to insist or persist. (For example, ask the person pressuring you how long they’ve been practicing the bad habit, why they started the bad habit, etcetera — this will even make them question themselves.)
It sounds simple, but simply refusing with more strength behind your words will make the person less likely to persist. Make them feel as though you have an iron will, and that nothing they say will get you to change your mind in the slightest. Repetition is key as well! Nobody can make you feel bad about your choice unless you let them.
Don’t get stuck inside of the mindset that you’re the one being a coward, or a “party-pooper.” Your values and decisions are important, and if a supposed friend is trying to force you to believe otherwise, then they may not be worthy of remaining your friend. In the first place, thinking for yourself shows more strength and character than giving in to unhealthy habits pressed by bad influences.
Remember to keep it in the back of your mind that you are not alone. Others in your area or group of friends are surely being peer pressured. Find somebody else who’s affected, and back each other up. It’s harder to pressure two people at once when they’re supporting each other. Also, never fall victim to the “everybody else is doing it” statement, as more often than not, everybody else is in fact not doing it, only that person and their friends or acquaintances.
Stay away from suspicious situations in the first place, such as parties with drugs and/or alcohol. If you don’t go, you can’t be pressured and uncomfortable; if you still want to go, perhaps try avoiding any people who are known sources of peer pressure.
Consider the consequences of accepting what you’re being pressured into doing. Take the common example of smoking: think about how consequences of getting addicted could range from addiction to cancer and death.
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