The Benefits of Peer Pressure

Could it be that peer pressure is not actually a malicious force that parents must shelter their innocent children from, but on the contrary a positive experience that may even be evolutionarily adaptive? This extremely relevant and interesting article suggests just that, as it tackles our conception of peer pressure as a highly negative phenomenon in adolescence, and discusses the potential benefits peer pressure may have. Those who do experience peer pressure, the article suggests, learn how to behave in reciprocal relationships, and develop empathy and social adeptness. For instance, the article cites the hygiene of adolescent males as an example, suggesting that without peer pressure teenage boys would quite possibly never shower.

The article also presents the findings of an interesting study that asks its adolescent participants and their best friends to imagine a hypothetical trip to Mars, in which they must together agree upon which passengers they will save on their spaceship. The article explains that those who perform well on this task will in the future have higher GPAs, higher involvement in healthy romantic relationships, and lower problems with alcohol and drugs. The article then concludes that these findings demonstrate a positive correlation between peer pressure and the aforementioned benefits (GPA, healthy relationships, etc.) However, I believe the article's portrayal of this is misleading, as it seems that it isn't the amount of peer pressure that is a predictor of these positive outcomes, but rather an adolescent's ability to handle the peer pressure. I do, however, agree with the positive remarks the authors have made about peer pressure, as well as their distinction between peer pressure and peer selection. If you are surrounded by the 'right' peers, you may be pressured to act or behave in a way that is positive or healthy (ie-study groups with friends). The article also suggests that those who are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like drinking or doing drugs, tend to select peer groups who are also interested in these activities as well. Although my class did not watch and discuss thirteen yet, from what I recall the main character is at first a studious, innocent girl, who is later corrupted by her more provocative and risk-seeking friend. It is interesting to apply this concept to this protagonist and question whether or not she had an innate vulnerability or propensity to make these poor judgment calls since she surrounded herself with a friend who was such a bad influence, or if she truly was 'corrupted.'

Please read the article and let me know what you think! Also feel free to correct my interpretation of the movie since I have not seen it in a while.

Sam