Peer pressure

Peer pressure can be defined as a feeling that one must do the same things as other people of one's age
and social group in order to be liked, accepted and respected by them. It is the direct influence on
individuals by peers, or the effect on an individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by
changing their attitudes, values or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual.
Peer pressure has moved from strictly face-to-face interaction to digital interaction as well. Social media
provides a massive new digital arena for peer pressure and influence. Research suggests that not just
individuals but also organizations, such as large corporations, are susceptible to peer pressures, such as
pressures from other firms in their industry

Peer pressure can be classified into two categories based on its impact on individuals:

 Negative peer pressure is when peers put pressure on an individual to do something they are
not comfortable with or perform actions that are harmful to their own health and overall well-
being. Examples include smoking, underage drinking, the strange Japanese tradition of giri
choco (obligation chocolate), where women feel obliged to buy male colleagues chocolates on
Valentine’s Day (and men to reciprocate)

 Positive peer pressure is when someone’s peers influence them to do something positive or
growth building. When it is turned to good account it can be a powerful motivator. Having a
group that exerts positive peer pressure can also help individuals give up bad habits and pick up
healthy ones that can shape both their personality and future. Examples include social media-
powered campaigns — most memorably 2014’s Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for good
causes. Other examples can be peers who are committed to doing well in school or at sport can
influence others to be more goal orientated. Similarly, peers who are kind, loyal or supportive
influence others to be the same

Peer pressure in different age groups:

Peer pressure is the social pressure that occurs with an individual in every span of life i.e. at different
age groups. The mindset of a person might lead to a positive or negative pressure depending upon the
people they mingle with, situations they face, physical and mental pressure they are undergoing, etc.

1. Children:

Children are always searching for behaviors and attitudes around them that they can co-opt. In other
words children get influenced by people that are important in their lives such as friends, parents and
even youtubers, celebrities, singers, dancers etc. For kids, its usually very important to their sense of
belonging and acceptance that they adopt some of the beliefs and behavior of their friendship group.
Peer pressure can be subtle and kids may express it through dressing, talking or behaving in the way that
their friends think is acceptable. It is more direct and can involve kids feeling pressured in doing things
they don’t want to do.

On a positive side, the child might make new friends, communicate well with others, learn about
cultures, values and beliefs, become more confident and learn how to make own decisions. On contrary,
the negative aspects are adopting negative attitude, lie, cheat, steal, do risky things, etc.

2. Teenager:
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure because they are at a stage of development
when they are separating more from their parents' influence, but have not yet established their own
values or understanding about human relationships or the consequences of their behavior. They are also
typically striving for social acceptance and are more willing to engage in behaviors against their better
judgment in order to be accepted. Children entering this period in life become aware for the first time of
the other people around them and realize the importance of perception in their interactions. Peer
conformity in young people is most pronounced with respect to style, taste, appearance, ideology, and
values.

Peer pressure produces a wide array of negative outcomes. A study indicated that susceptibility to peer
pressure in 13 to 18-year-olds was predictive of not only future response to peer pressure, but also a
wider array of functioning. For example, greater depression, decreasing popularity, more sexual
behavior was also found. It was noted that most of the teens get addicted to drugs, smoking, sexual
inter course, etc. at this time due to social influence. The environment they mingle at this age group can
transform them.

3. Adult:

Although some may believe that peer pressure ends when a person becomes an adult; that is,
unfortunately, not the case. Adults are just as subject to peer pressure as children and youth. According
to Philip J. Lanzisera, Ph.D., a psychologist at Henry Ford Health System, “Just like kids, adults might be
pressured to have a drink, engage in an unhealthy behavior or purchase a product they don’t need.”
Peer pressure is when an individual or group of people attempt to cause another person to conform to
some type of uniform code. This can happen when an individual is asked to do a normal work procedure
that may be unethical, or an individual decides to quit smoking because pressure from friends or family
to quit

Situational peer pressure

1. Social influence (Family, relatives and friends)

Have you ever experienced something like this? Sitting at a coffee place with your friends and the
question of “what is the current ‘it’ song” pops up. Someone mentions a song, which happens to be your
absolute favorite. “OMG, that song is so overrated and it’s so boring and lame,” one of your friends says
dismissively. All your other friends seem to agree with the statement and have a laugh about how bad
the song is. You, sitting there knowing this is the song you listen to every single day because it is your
jam, just inwardly admit that it is your “it” song but outwardly agree with your friends that the song is
indeed lame and boring.

This is referred to as peer influence or, more accurately, social influence. Social influence is when we
choose to display certain types of behaviors or thoughts in order to be included in a group of friends or
cliques. Being socially influenced by certain decisions or opinions held by peers can sometimes influence
the way one performs certain tasks.

2. At workplace

Peer pressure can follow from school to workplace but there are different ways to overcome it. We
cannot ignore the influence that peers have on one another. In the workplace it can actually motivate
people to perform at peak levels. When colleagues know their performance and contributions affect
someone else in the company or the company as a whole, they are more likely to feel a need to step up
efforts so they don't let co-workers down.

Dealing with peer pressure in the workplace is all about establishing your own values about life and the
things that are important to you and in sticking to your own principles. You must stand up for yourself
and take responsibility.

Social media creating virtual peer pressure:

Social media and peer pressure-pressure among teens is not a new thing. What’s new is the way it is
affecting our digital generation. It has crossed the school walls and has entered very home, forcing kids
to do things such as sexting, drug abuse, alcohol, consumption, and plenty more. Social media has given
peer pressure the power to ruin the lives of kids who feel pressurized to do things mainly because all
their friends are doing them.

Nowadays, kids spend hours on different social media accounts, which may boost their social standing,
but at the same time compel them to do things they shouldn’t or even aren’t too keen to do. According
to several studies conducted lately, viewing posts, images and statuses of friends indulging in
inappropriate activities encourage teens to do the same. For instance, in one study, 75% of the kids
accepted the fact that the pressure to blend in after seeing posts of their friends openly drinking alcohol
and taking drugs forced them to repeat this behavior. Going through the Facebook Timeline of friends
and seeing them going to late night parties, drinking alcohol, trying drugs, having a physical relationship,
etc., make teens feel that everyone except them are enjoying their life. The fear of missing out is so
strong that they unintentionally start getting attracted towards these activities. Thus, social media has
given rise to a new term “virtual peer pressure”. It is the type of peer pressure kids’ face online almost
daily.
However, it’s not all negativity and bad influences. There is some evidence that, for many young people,
social media makes them feel more confident and outgoing, and improves their social relationships.
People organize fundraisers, rally against social injustice, and raise awareness for the exact issues social
media can exacerbate, like bullying and mental illness. This can create awareness and have positive
impact on individuals.
Effects of peer pressure:
Negative peer pressure can be detrimental to self-esteem, influence clear decision-making, and increase
stress. In the worst cases, it can lead to harmful or dangerous behaviors that could result in death, such
as car accidents involving alcohol, accidents, drug overdose, and more. In school it can be lower school
attendance, and change in group of friends. In families, negative peer pressure might increase distance
from family members, result in less time spent at home and increase negative behaviors/attitude.

However, when individuals surround themselves with people who are making good decisions and who
are involved with positive activities and choices, this typically makes them want to be better. Having
positive friends increases confidence and self-esteem. The positive environment with positive pressure
might lead to relaxed mindset, feeling secured amidst of group, being confident, gain more knowledge
and experience being with people of same mindset or thinking, thus resulting in good inter personal
relationship
How to deal with negative peer pressure:
Assess the situation: Think about what is happening. It is important to recognize bad peer pressure. If
someone is asking you to do something wrong they might say things like.....”Everyone does it”, “No one
will know”, “Who’s going to find out”, or “Go on I dare you”

Choose what to do: It is important to take control of the situation and think about what we can do and
how we can overcome peer pressure. Some questions to ask oneself:

 Could this be trouble? Will it break the law?

 Will my family be angry or ashamed if I do this?

 Will people in authority be angry with me or disappointed with me?

 Will someone be hurt - their body or their feelings?

 Will I be safe?

 Do I feel good about this?

Standing up for oneself can be daunting, especially in the face of a group that is pressurizing to do
something. Here are some tactics that can work for anyone at any stage:

 Spend time with those who resist peer pressure

 Learn to be assertive

 Ask for help if necessary

 Get out of the situation

 Choose friends carefully

 Use delay tactics

 Think ahead and avoid certain situations

 Provide your own positive pressure

 Understand it’s okay to be alone

 Go with your gut feeling