The need for belonging during this transformative stage can lead to mental health challenges. Originally from Nashville, TN, Jordan moved to Colorado with her family at age five. She has worked in behavioral health since graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 2019. Jordan developed her clinical approach in various inpatient, hospital, outpatient, and private practice settings.
Academic Peer Pressure
Many adults are susceptible to drinking too much because their friends are doing it, or putting work before family because they’re competing with other people in their office for a promotion. They are also typically striving for social acceptance and are more willing to engage in behaviors against their better judgment to be accepted. In turn, your friend might reconsider criticizing people based on their appearance. By simply adhering to your own values and sharing them with a friend, you can positively peer pressure them to think before making a negative comment. Have you ever been pressured to have “one more drink,” or stay out later than you said you’d be home? If so, you’ve been a victim of peer pressure—chances are, most of us have.
The Psychology Behind the Pressure: Mechanisms at Play
Dealing with peer pressure can be difficult, which of the following is a type of indirect peer pressure? but below are some ways to help address it. Learning to say “no” confidently and respectfully can help you stand your ground in the face of peer pressure. It’s about expressing your own needs and boundaries without trampling on others’. If you feel uncomfortable with what your peers are doing, formulate a plan or an excuse to exit the situation.
- Peer pressure also plays a significant role in shaping our self-esteem and mental health.
- In fact, positive peer pressure can encourage healthy behaviors, such as abstaining from alcohol or making responsible choices.
- Adolescents see these acts in other young people and are faced with the difficult decision of choosing sides, following the negative leader, and turning away from behavior that goes against their ethical principles.
- Hailing from Boulder County, Courtney embarked on her academic journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
- She continued her education at the University of Denver and earned a master’s in clinical mental health counseling.
Leadership tool
They can inspire us to be more altruistic, to stand up for our beliefs, and to strive for personal growth. Lastly, we have self-categorization theory, which builds on social identity theory. This theory suggests that we categorize ourselves at different levels of abstraction (individual, group member, human being) depending on the context. When we categorize ourselves as group members, we’re more likely to conform to group norms and be susceptible to peer pressure. Then we have normative social influence, which is our tendency to conform in order to be liked and accepted by others.
Take Your Time
By staying true to yourself, cultivating strong relationships, and developing resilience, you can navigate the complex social world with confidence and integrity. Such programs can be incorporated in schools, community centers, and online platforms to reach a broader audience. Being aware of the different ways it shows up will help you recognize it and make better decisions. A group of three middle schoolers stand together, all wearing sunglasses.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
She tailors interventions to individual needs, drawing from modalities like mindfulness, DBT, CBT, and EMDR. She typically works with people interested in taking a holistic approach to treating their addictions. This will include healthy eating, movement, meditation, mindfulness and spirituality. Outside of work, she’s a devotee of Krishna, and her friends call her Karunya Shakti, which means compassionate energy. She enjoys singing and dancing in kirtan and reading ancient Vedic literature like the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. If she weren’t so damn good at her job, she says she would probably be an electrical engineer.
Types of Peer Pressure and Their Impact on Alcohol Use
It’s closely related to social interference, where the presence of others affects our performance. It ties into internal pressure psychology, as external peer pressure can become internalized over time. And it has significant psychological implications for mental health, self-esteem, and personal development. Here, we’ll talk about the different types of peer pressure and how young individuals can resist the temptation to give in. Asking a teenager to engage in behavior that goes against his or her moral code or family values is a type of negative pressure. Adolescents see these acts in other young people and are faced with the difficult decision of choosing sides, following the negative leader, and turning away from behavior that goes against their ethical principles.