Nevan, I enjoyed reading your thread and appreciated your insights on peer cluster theory, effective interventions, and possible drawbacks. Two points that stood out to me from your thread is how you described peer cluster theory and the various drawbacks of peer interventions. Counselors can use peer cluster theory to help explain how peers have an incredible influence on deviant behavior (McWhirter, McWhirter, McWhirter, & McWhirter, 2013). When a child reaches adolescence, they become more independent of their parents and more dependent on their peers, which causes a shift in the amount of influence parents have on their children (Sumter, Bokhorst, Steinberg, & Westenberg, 2009). Thus, peer influence becomes incredibly strong. Peers can influence each other both positively and negatively; however, much of the influence is negative. Peer cluster theory has been linked to drug use amongst peers (McWhirter et al, 2013). Counselors have used a variety of interventions to try and reach adolescents in a peer cluster; however, some of those interventions have failed (McWhirter et al, 2013). One of the reasons is because the adolescent often returns to the cluster, which negates the positive effect of treatment (McWhirter et al, 2013). Thus, counselors must try and treat the entire peer cluster. Some peer interventions have been successful; however, there are still challenges. One of the challenges is when a …show more content…
(2013). At risk youth: A comprehensive response for counselors, teachers, psychologists, and human service professionals (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole
Sumter, S.R., Bokhorst, C.L., Steinberg, L., & Westenberg, P.M. (2009). The developmental pattern of resistance to peer influence in adolescence: Will the teenager ever be able to resist? Journal of Adolescence, 32(4), 1009-21. Retrieved from
As a teenager we are all looking to be accepted by our peers and will do whatever it is they want us to so we can be accepted. That is to say the feeling of needing to be accepted by ones peers is done consciously; the person starts to do what their friends do without thinking about it. (Teen 3) In fact, teens are more likely to be affected by peer pressure because they are trying to figure out who they are. (How 1) Therefore, they see themselves as how their peers would view them so they change to fit their peer’s expectations. (How 1) Secondly, the feeling of needing to rebel and be someone that isn’t who their parents are trying to make them be affects them. (Teen 2) Thus, parents are relied on less and teens are more likely to go to their peers about their problems and what choices to make. (How 1) Also, their brains are not fully matured and teens are less likely to think through their choices thoroughly before doing it. (Teen 6) Lastly, how a child is treated by his peers can affect how they treat others; this can lead them into bullying others who are different. (Teen 3) Consequently this can affect a teen into doing something good or bad; it depends who you surround yourself with.
Progar, J. (2012). Review of juveniles at risk: A plea for preventive justice. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence, 41(12), 1702-1704. doi:10.1007/s10964-012-9841-0
Steinberg, Laurence & Morris, Amanda Sheffield. “Adolescent Development.” Annual Review of Psychology, (Annual 2001): 83-110. [E Journal]
Conformity means a change in one’s behavior due to the real or imagined influence of other people. As a teenager, the pressure to conform to the societal “norm” plays a major role in shaping one’s character. Whether this means doing what social groups want or expect you to do or changing who you are to fit in. During class, we watched films such as Mean Girls, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Breakfast Club which demonstrate how the pressure to conform into society can change who you are. In the movies we have seen, conformity was most common during high school.
Adolescent years are a time period in a human beings life where we search for a place that we are most comfortable. It is a time where we try to find friends with similar interests and those who will easily accept us for who we are. Once we are accepted by those friends, we tend to do more things with hopes of getting approval from “the group.” Trying to fit in during adolescence is a significant factor for self-motivation because it determines the level of being accepted and popularity amongst our peers. Through our year of adolescence we experiment and try to discover oneself as a person, but we also find what our strongest traits are that are used in order to be accepted, or to feel more popular. Popularity is defined as a state of being liked or accepted by a group of people (cite). As the group of people gets larger, so does that person’s popularity. For some people, popularity may come easy due to their charisma or looks, but there are those children who feel lonely due to their lack of popularity.
Throughout the course of my 10-week study, I observed approximately 20 youths aged 13-17. In order to be admitted to the shelter, youths must be “in crisis,” characterized by “behaviors or a history indicative of SED [serious emotional disturbance], experiencing signif...
Identification with a peer group is a critical part of growing up because even though there is a mix between valuable and invaluable points, no one wants to be left with nobody to help them figure out how they fit in the world and get pass tough times. Peer pressure can have positive impacts and not so good but the postive are too valuable to overpass, leaning us over to conclude that classifying with a circle of close friends are a key factor when going into the real
Musher-Eizenman, D. R., Holub, S. C., & Arnett, M. (2003). Attitude and Peer Influences on
Haun, Daniel B. M., and Michael Tomasello. Conformity to Peer Pressure in Preschool Children. N.p.: Society for Research in Child Development, Inc., 2011. Pdf.
Programs, policies, and practices are developed for at-risk youth, based on the evidence and research generated from this approach. The basis of such evidence is not to be the deciding factor, as stated above, but to help us identify programs, and policies that benefit our youth in positive ways.
Kiran-Esen, Binnaz. "Analyzing Peer Pressure And Self-Efficacy Expectations Among Adolescents." Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal 40.8 (2012): 1301-1309. Academic Search Premier”. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Sikes, A., Cole, R. F., McBride, R., Fusco, A., & Lauka, J. (2009). Addressing the needs of substance abusing adolescents: a guide for professional school counselors. Journal of School Counseling, 7(43),
... instead of following the majority. The issue of peer pressure can relate to teens, as they are in constant pressure to be ‘cool’ or to be in the ‘in’ group. It does not really promote individualism, so people cannot develop their own ideas but rather follow the leader of their group.
Dryfoos, J. G. (1990). Adolescents at risk: Prevalence and prevention. New York: Oxford University Press.
Teenagers become caught up with following peers, because the decision is made to become involved in experimental activities by choice. On the other hand, peer pressure in teens can allow mature growth in the student, because the individual can them become a leader within an environment in a positive manner. According to kidshealth.org, “Getting to know lots of different people-