GROUP INFLUENCES ON BEHAVIOURPeer-Pressure & Risk-Taking Behaviour

The Peer Group

“Peer” – anyone who has one or more characteristics or roles in common with one or more other individuals (gender, age, occupation, social group etc.)

“Group” – Any collection of two or more people who interact and influence one another and who share a common purpose.

A peer group does not mean friendship group… “Friendship” involves a positive

relationship between two or more people who usually treat each other in similar ways.

Being a “peer” does not necessarily mean there is a positive relationship.

What are the features of an adolescent peer group?

Some features of a peer group

Its own norms or standards

of acceptable behaviour

Its own style of dress,

places for socialising, taste in music,

sport etc.

Its own special

attitudes to matters

such as sex before marriage, smoking, alcohol,

drugs etc.

It’s own language

expressions, that people outside

the group may not

understand.

Its members discuss

problems with one another but not

outsiders.

What peer group/groups do you belong to?Think about the peer group/groups you belong to. Write down three ways peer groups

exert ‘pressure’ and influence. Why are some peer groups more

powerful than others? Remember definition of “power”

Can a peer group influence one or more of its members to engage in risk-taking behaviour?

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is social influence by peers; that is, real or imagined pressure to think, feel or behave according to standards that are determined by peers.

Peer pressure is not always negative. It can be positive!

Task: Read p. 406 – 407 and summarise

research findings on peer pressure. Can be dot points.

While some adolescent peer groups promote and support

anti-social behaviour, the negative influence of the peer group is often over-

emphasised, especially by worried parents.

The age at which young people are more likely to

be influenced by peer pressure is between 11 &

16, peaking at 14 and declining thereafter.

‘Best friends’ have a much greater influence

on adolescents than casual friends or cliques.

Girls generally experience more peer pressure than boys, especially in being

socially active, dress, grooming and their

relationship with boys.

Boys report experiencing more pressure to drink, engage in sexual activity and take

drugs.Research

Findings on Peer Pressure

Risk-Taking Behaviour

Risk-taking behaviour is behaviour that has the potential negative consequences. Behaviour viewed as risk-taking has the potential to harm the individual’s psychological wellbeing and/or physical health in some way.

Thrill-SeekingBehaviours that are challenging but

relatively socially acceptable (skydiving)

RecklessOften thrill-seeking, but have a higher change of not being accepted by the

adult population. They also have negative social/health-related

outcomes.(drink-driving, speeding)

RebelliousInvolve experimenting with activities that are usually acceptable for adults

but disapproved for adolescents.(smoking)

Anti-SocialConsidered unacceptable for both

adults and adolescents.(bullying)

Four Types of Risk-Taking

Behaviour

Gullone & Moore, 2000

Why types of behaviours are these? Cheating Sharing needles when drug-taking

Staying out late Bungee Jumping

Role Play

In groups of 4/5, think of a scenario that represents the type of risk-taking behaviour you are assigned.

Try and think of an example that hasn’t been used.

30 second role play.