Peer Pressure

Paper Summary:

The paper explores the issue of peer pressure in today's society and how it can have both a negative and positive effect on peers. The paper looks at studies that explore the link between peer pressure and body image, product consumption, drinking alcohol and smoking.

Outline:
Introduction
How Peer Pressure Transpires
When and Why Does Negative Conformity and Peer Pressure Occur?
The Positive Role of Peer Pressure in Conforming

From the Paper:

"According to Burton, Weston & Kowalski (2009), conformity refers to the altering of "attitudes or behaviour to accommodate the standards of peers or groups". This behaviour is seen more in children & adolescents during the school years than in any other life stages. The fear of being excluded, and ultimately having to cope with educational and social pressure single-handedly, instils a more negative approach to choices concerning right and wrong.
"Peer pressure is an influential attitude or perception, which is best described by Manohar (2009); "...it is the pressure exerted by a peer group in encouraging someone to change their attitudes, behaviour, or morals, to fit in a group."
"Peer pressure and conformity can work in a harmonious relationship, provided that both are applied using a positive approach. In contrast, they can also share a discordant affiliation if both conformity and peer-pressure are used inappropriately. For example, a group pressuring a child to steal some money involves both negative peer pressure and consequently ends with a negative conformity."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Elliot, R, Leonard, C 2004, 'Peer Pressure and Poverty: Exploring fashion brands and consumption symbolism among children of the British Poor', Journal of Consumer Behaviour, vol. 3, no.4, pp.347-359
• Jones, D, Vigfusdottir, T & Lee, Y 2004, 'Body Image and the Appearance Culture among Adolescent Girls and Boys' Journal of Adolescent Research, vol. 19, no. 3. pp 323-339.
• Kiran-Esen, B 2003, 'Examining the adolescents smoking according to their peer pressure levels and gender', Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 179-188.
• Simons-Morton, B, Haynie, DL, Crump, AD, Eitel, P & Saylor, KE 2001, 'Peer and Parent Influences on Smoking and Drinking Among Early Adolescents', Health and Education Behaviour, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 95-107.
• Manohar,U, 2009, Facts about Peer Pressure, Costa Mesa USA, viewed 20th February 2009, http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-peer-pressure.html.

More papers on Peer Pressure:

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• Research Paper # 107406 : "Peer Pressure in Adolescence"

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