Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

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“Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to what individuals perceive as normal of their society or social group. This influence occurs in small groups and society as a whole, and may result from subtle unconscious influences, or direct and overt social pressure. Conformity can occur in the presence of others or when an individual is alone” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformity) Has there been a time when you suddenly found yourself watching a group of teens communicate and they all seemed to be doing something different from what you can see? How did this make you feel? Did you feel like you had to conform to their way of communicating to each other? If so you just failed victim to your desire to conform. Adolescence, go through different stages of development, these stages are meant to move adolescence between their childhood and their adulthood. These stages are the experiences a teen go through that brings about a variety of changes and emotional issues. Varies cultures play a part in the adolescence development, ranging from their preteens through 19 years of age. “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescence covers the period of life between 10 and 20 years of age. Adolescence is often divided by psychologists into three distinct phases: early, mid, and late adolescence” (World Health Organization). When an individual take on the behaviors, attitudes, and styles of their peers because of the pressure of fitting in, this is peer conformity, also known as peer pressure. In most cultures the amount of time we spend with our peers tends to increase, as well as the effect they provide for support. Peer influence can start as soon as the third grade for some an... ... middle of paper ... ... Last there is Internalization, publicly changing behavior to fit in with the group and also agreeing with them privately” (http://www.simplypsychology.org/conformity.html). By studying conformity, I hope I will be able to help others keep their identity and follow their own values and beliefs and not give in to peer pressure and conformity. I hope I can make teens more aware of the many influences that peers pressure can have on them and the many choices that make them who they are. Reference Harris, J. R. (1995). Where is the child's environment? A group socialization theory of development. Psychological Review. Conformity, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformity World Health Organization, (2013). Adolescent Health and Development Conformity in Psychology, retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/conformity.html

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