Peer Pressure

By: Carly Bebernitz

What is peer pressure?

Definition of Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is a specific instance of social influence, which typically produces conformity to a particular way of acting or thinking (Lashbrook, 2000, Review of Lit., para. 1).

Examples of Peer Pressured Activities

Drinking alcoholDoing drugsStealingTeasing othersHaving sexDressing a certain way

Refusal Skills

Five Steps:Ask QuestionsName the TroubleIdentify the ConsequencesSuggest an AlternativeKeep the Door Open

Refusal Skills

These skills can be applied for saying no to negative peer pressure by using logical decision making to generate positive choices.

Refusal Skills

Ask questionsDetermine if it is a situation that will involve

trouble.

Refusal Skills

Name the troubleTell your friend the real or legal name of the

trouble.

Refusal Skills

Identify the consequencesTell your friend what you will be risking.

Refusal Skills

Suggest an alternative, then start to leaveSuggest something else to do that is fun.

Refusal Skills

Keep the door openLeave, and invite your friend to join you if

he/she decides to come later.

Goals of Refusal Skills

Keep friendsStay out of troubleHave fun

Alcohol Awareness PSA

Discussion Questions

What Refusal Skill did the girl in the video use to resist the peer pressure to drink?

What other Refusal Skills could she have used? And how?

Review

“I don’t think we should steal that necklace because the store

owner could call our parents or the cops.”

Identify the Consequences

“C’mon, why don’t we go play basketball instead of smoking

pot?”

Suggest an Alternative

“If you want to stop by my house later you can.”

Keep the Door Open

“Where did you get that bottle of vodka?”

Ask Questions

“That’s cheating.”

Name the Trouble

References

Brigman, G. & Goodman, B. (2001). Group counseling for school counselors (2nd edition). In Walch (Ed.). Refusal Skills (pp. 25-28). Portland, ME.

W:\Peer Pressure Lesson.rtf

Lashbrook, J. (2000). Fitting in: Exploring the emotional dimension of adolescent peer pressure [Electronic version]. Adolescence, 35, pp. 747-757.