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.
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