Introduction
The Factors of Conformity in Adolescent Peer Groups on Alcohol Consumption
In this paper different factors of conformity in adolescent peer groups on alcohol consumption will be discussed. Conformity can be defined as "a change in behavior or attitudes in response to the influence of a real or imagined group" (Fowler, 2013). Mostly everyone goes through the social pressure of a group wanting them to conform. But, why do we feel the need to comply? The purpose of this paper is to find out what factors lead adolescents to conform to alcohol consumption. According to Teunissen et al. (2012), "adolescents usually have little drinking experience" meaning "their anticipated physiological reactions to alcohol are not yet important motivations
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As suggested by Fowler attractiveness can be a component in getting people to conform. People are more likely to listen to those who are attractive because they are interested in them. As this is an important attribute to society people are more willing to listen to those who are attractive (2013).
Socialization and Social Norms
The socialization of an adolescent may also be important to consider when looking at alcohol consumption. We learn what is "normal" to society through observational learning. What we see our friends and family do is what we see as the norm (Oostveen et al., 1996). Therefore, heavy or light alcohol consumption may be seen as the social norm to different individuals. An adolescent can see through the behaviors of others that the norm for young people is to engage in alcohol use. This, of course, is on a continuum from just trying alcohol to engaging in alcohol consumption frequently for different adolescents. Adolescents conform to this behaviour because we see it as normal. Part of socialization in peer groups is finding out what the norms from that group is (Oostveen et al., 1996). Alcohol consumption can become an important way to adolescents for socialization because they may see it as a way to make new friends or meet a partner (Oostveen et al.,
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“Norm perceptions are often robustly associated with alcohol consumption” (Ferrer et al., 2012, p.689). Adolescents always seem to be concerned with what their peers are doing. Therefore, the biggest predictor for adolescents to drink is their peers drinking (Teunissen et al., 2012). This behaviour of alcohol consumption can be based on descriptive norms and injunctive norms (Ferrer et al., 2012). A descriptive norm is an “individuals’ perceptions of others’ behaviour” and an injunctive norm is an “individuals’ perceptions of others’ attitudes” (Ferrer et al., 2012, p.689). “Conformity occurs when perceptions of injunctive and descriptive norms influence an individual’s own attitudes and behaviour” (Ferrer et al., 2012, p.689) (THIS IS ACTUALLY ASCH, FIX). Although, perceptions can be incorrect but still have a strong influence on behaviour (Ferrer et al., 2012). The motivation for adolescents to drink may be based on the fallacy they think their peers are engaging in this activity. “Heavy drinkers tend to perceive their family and friends and authorities to be more in favor of drinking” (Oostveen et al., 1996, p.191). Marks et al. did a study asking participants about their alcohol consumption and their perception of the alcohol consumption of their peers (1992). The results found that when a participant perceived their peers to engage in alcohol consumption they engaged in alcohol
Makela, Pia. "Views into studies of differences in drinking habits and alcohol problems between sociodemographic groups." Contemporary Drug Problems, Winter 1999 v26 i4 p633.
Frey and Schonbeck explain that it is estimated that over 76 million people worldwide are affected by alcohol abuse or dependence. The chance of having an alcoholic in one’s life is very high. Children that grow up in an environment with an alcoholic may increase that child’s chance of becoming an alcoholic themselves. In the United States, the most commonly abused drug among youth is alcohol. Even though the legal drinking age is 21, nearly 20% of all alcohol consumed in the United States is by people under the legal age (83). In fact, when youth start drinking at social events in their teenage years, they are greatly increasing their risk of developing alcohol problems (85). Alcoholism can affect people of all ages. Furthermore, some experts try to differentiate between alcoholics and social drinkers. Typically, they base this off of five categories. Social drinkers do not drink alone. They consume minimal amounts of alcohol during social functions. Situational drinkers may not ever drink unless they are stressed out. These drinkers are more likely to drink by themselves. Problem drinkers can be described as a drinker that alcohol has caused problems in their life. However, they usually respond to advice given by others. Binge drinkers are out of control in their alcohol consumption. They may drink until they pass out or worse. Alcoholic drinkers have found that their lives have become unmanageable and that they are completely powerless over alcohol (84). Alcoholics should be cautious of their surroundings to prevent
... norms and perceived social benefits of drinking. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 69, 397 – 405
As teenagers reach maturity and start developing their social activities to the point where weekend-and often weeknight-parties becomes the regular occurrence, they are often looking for a means to escape soberness. They would to love put their hair down and drink alcohol as they socialize and or dance with their friends, a leisure that they have seen older siblings, parents, friends, television and ultimately society do over and over again. As they graduate from high school and move on with their lives-whether that be to college, a job or travelling-they will be exposed more and more to alcohol and inebriation. Yet if they were to take part in this recreation, they would in fact be committing a crime punishable by a court case and further action. Yet this legal aspect has very little practical effect, because the large majority of the 18 and over age group still drinks. In fact, a recent survey conducted stated that almost half (48%) of all college drinking has been attributed to those who are underage. Furthermore, underage drinking accounts for between 11-20% of all alcohol con...
The use of alcohol by adolescents is widely viewed as disobedience in American society. Although, alcohol use is technically illegal until the age of twenty-one (in 19 states the consumption of alcohol in not specifically illegal for people under the age of twenty-one), there is still an excessive use of dinking in teenagers today. Since alcohol is associated with all three leading causes of death among teens, it can also have less life-altering consequences such as a drop in academic performances and a decline of friend and family relationships. Also, mental disorders like anxiety, depression and behavioral issues as in loss of temper, an argumentative personality, being easily angered, and blaming others for mistakes. Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in teenagers and society contributes to abuse by linking drinking to sophistication and good times. (“Alcohol Abuse and Youth” 1)
“Alcoholism” is a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally (“Alcoholism”). Teens have dealt with alcohol and alcoholism for a long time. There are many reasons why teens get addicted to alcohol and many things that happen because of it. There are ways to get treatment. There are many things that teens can do themselves to avoid alcohol and there are many things we and our society can do to prevent teen’s access to alcohol. Peer pressure and teens access to alcohol can lead to the destruction of their lives, the lives of the people around them, and their relationships with the people around them. We need to take measures to prevent this from happening so that they have a chance to better our society, not worsen it.
Young people are considered to constitute the largest number of alcohol consumers and they account for a large portion of alcohol sales. This is despite the strict drinking laws that govern many countries as regards alcohol purchase and consumption. Underage drinking, which has been on the increase, is allegedly the major cause of alcohol-related problems facing the modern society. The most severe effects of adolescent drinking include drunk driving that leads to accidents and even death, violence, poor performance in school, addiction, poor relationships and damage on adolescent brain development among others (Bonnie and O’Connell 58). The society is to a great extent affected by these effects through deaths and lost productivity among the youth. This has become a challenge to the society and government, which has been accused of doing nothing about this menace. Weak personal character, bad social states and poor cultural settings are some of the major factors that are believed to be behind underage drinking.
Alcoholism comes with many problems and consequences that are dangerous for young teens. In America the average age for a girl’s first drink is thirteen, and for a boy it’s eleven. Young teens that drink are more likely to do with or
One article that covers the results of a national survey states that ¡§Adolescents¡¦ levels of alcohol and drug use have been found to be strongly associated with peers¡¦ use. However, other studies have shown that a student¡¦s drinking was more strongly influenced by how much he or she thought close friends drank than by perceptions of the extent of use by students in general¡¨(Results 2). This is a statement that I can agree with because growing up I have watched many young people become greatly influenced by their friends. Now a days the phrase ¡§peer pressure¡¨ concentrates on pressure from a direct group of friends rather than a students peers as a whole. Another reason the article gives for the cause of Binge Drinking is that ¡§Students who perceive that more drinking occurs than actually does provide themselves with an excuse for drinking more because ¡¥everyone is doing it¡¦¡¨ (Results 2). Everyone knows that most youngsters want what every other kid has, this idea relates in the...
Although alcoholism is not necessarily constrained to one demographic, the prevalence of alcoholism, especially in underage drinkers, seems to be of growing concern. In the last five years alone, underage age drinking has seen a startling and rather significant increase. For example, in 2009, about 59.3% of high school seniors had consumed alcohol. The same poll, taken in 2014, showed that 65.7% had now participated in the consumption of alcohol, despite being underage (Whillenburg 3).
Alcohol is often served at social gatherings and is a normal part of the setting at places such as clubs or bars where people go to hang out with others. Many people believe that alcohol can give an individual social confidence and promotes relaxation in the company of others. People enjoy the psychoactive effects of alcohol for various reasons. It provides a sense of relief and disassociation from reality. A sense of adventure or perhaps a spiritual search is often given as the causative reason for alcohol consumption “(Why people drink).” Most of the reasons for alcohol use are because of peer pressure. Many adolescents and college students find themselves in situations where alcohol is present. Because younger people often lack self-confidence or the refusal skills to handle the pressures of such situations, they often begin to experiment with alcohol because they want to fit in and not made fun of so they take the challenge of drinking
Simons-Morton, B.. (2007). Social Influences on Adolescent Substance Use. American Journal of Health Behavior, 31(6), 672-84. Retrieved May 5, 2011, from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 1390074281).
Mendelson, E. (October 20, 2000). Emphasis on Social Norms Can Help Curb Drinking. Chronicle of Higher Education [On-line], Available: www2.gasou.edu/library/ (Galileo)(EBSCOhost)(Search=Alcohol Abuse).
There are a number of reasons why teenagers feel the urge to drink. Social environment, peer influence, stresses, and even factors such as media influence contribute to underage drinking. Peer pressure is as well known use among teens. Americans have a burning desire to be accepted and liked by their peers. Everyone wants to feel a sense of belonging. Many adolescents feel that they need to drink alcohol to gain this acceptance by the others around them. Stress is also another reason why teens may feel apt to drink alcohol. Stress causes teenagers to look for a quick escape from the problems, which they face, in their day-to-day lives. This quick escape can be found in the shape of a bottle. In the eyes of an underage drinker, alcohol is the cure to all problems, a way to forget all of stress and pressures that are facing them. They feel that it will numb their pain and continuing to use alcohol will result in maybe another problem, substance abuse.
Alcohol has been linked to several horrible issues. The consequences of these problems include stiff fines, jail time, suspension of privileges and even death. The corollary of drinking alcohol can cause immense guilt, and even rifts in relationships with family and others. With booze being so bad it must be awful to get started drinking young. “…more than half of America’s teenagers have had at least one drink by age 15 and the percentage increases to 70% by age 18.” (Sober Nation) Teen drinking is a definite issue within the U.S.; its effects on an adolescent’s mind is horrendous; however, there is a way to fix this epidemic.