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Writer's pictureBasma Elhajami

Peer Pressure.

Updated: Aug 5, 2021

Some have already heard of this term some not, but it seems that we all experienced this type of pressure at least once in our lifetime.


Peer pressure or ‘’group think’’ is the impact put on a person who is encouraged and wants to obey their colleagues by changing their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual.

In another meaning, it’s a sort of pressure a group of people on the individuals of it, leading each other to do certain behaviors.

When discussing activities that are not deemed socially acceptable or attractive, such as experimenting with alcohol or drugs, the term "peer pressure" is used.


What is the impact of peer pressure?


Peer pressure can have two main impacts, first being a good one: positive impact: as to it leading the individual to be productive and positively competitive, leading the person to become the best version of themself for themself.

On the other hand, negative peer pressure consists of making the person competitive, not to become better but to become the best, trying to outshine everyone, which leads to a toxic attitude, and a wrong focus, putting exercise and competition above all else.


Peer pressure and addiction.

Peer pressure is studied by social scientists through the prism of "Social Learning Theory." This idea encompasses all of the aspects that humans learn from one another. When a student hangs out with friends and sees them drink, multiple processes covered in this theory begin to teach them about this new activity. Generally speaking, peers can help develop any sort of addiction.


Parental peer pressure.

it's not spread by handshakes or sneezes like the common cold, but rather by the most insidious means possible: expressed (and mostly unsolicited) opinions, as some would say.

It is probably the most dangerous kind of peer pressure. This type is another shape of toxicity, the ideas are rather implanted in a very indirect way, and every decision made based on it seems like free will, but it’s more of a plan with a lot of thought.


Here’s how PPP works: You’re catching up with a friend over coffee when you innocently say, “Mary is really enjoying her break from ballet right now.”

“A break?” replies your friend. “Are you sure? We put our little Simone in a specialized camp over the summer and she’s improved sooooo much…”

And there it is: You are the victim of a sudden attack of PPP.


Example is taken from activeforlife.com

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