The Power of Peer Pressure

According L K Cardin Smith and S a Fowler from the department of continuing education. “Classroom peers can serve as powerful sources of reinforcement in increasing or maintaining both the positive and negative behaviors of their classmates. In two experiments, we examined the effectiveness of a peer-monitored token system on reducing disruption and nonparticipation during a transition period of a kindergarten class for behaviorally impaired children. Additionally, the effect of providing and subsequently withholding corrective feedback to peer mediators on the accuracy of their point awards was evaluated. Results in Experiment 1 suggest that both teacher- and peer-monitored interventions were successful in decreasing disruption and increasing participation of monitored peers. Experiment 2 further demonstrated that peer monitors could successfully initiate the token system without prior adult implementation. Analysis of the point awards in both experiments indicates that peer monitors consistently awarded points that were earned. However, when corrective feedback was withdrawn the peer monitors frequently awarded points that were not earned, i.e., they rarely withheld points for undesirable behavior. Even so, the monitored peers' disruptive behavior was maintained at low rates.”

Teens aren't the only affected by it. It’s an epidemic. That challenges everyone, not only kids or teens but teens and adults alike.

“The main consequence of saying no to negative peer pressure is not just withstanding "The heat of the moment," as most adults think. Rather, it is coping with a sense of exclusion as others engage in the behavior and leave the adolescent increasingly alone. It is the loss of the shared experience. Further, the sense of exclusion remains whenever the group later recounts what happened. This feeling of loneliness then becomes pervasive but carries an easy solution -- go along with the crowd.”

(MICHAEL RIERA, Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers)

(http://www.notable-quotes.com/p/peer_pressure_quotes.html#JFfXdBCK18YwLwIx.99)

Peer Pressure affects everyone differently. For example, adults might be pressured to do something for work. The loss of what would happen if they didn't do it is the motivation. Sounds like blackmail, to me. However teens might be pressured into something by their friends this could go either way.

Before I go much farther. There’s two types of peer pressure positive and negative.

Positive is when someone helps you to do something that you wouldn't have had the courage to do on your own. Some examples could include doing a sole in choir, or trying out for a sport.

Negative peer pressure however, is when someone constantly tells you should try it.