How does peer pressure affect emotional development?

Category: family and relationships parenting teens
5/5 (25 Views . 38 Votes)
Teens' susceptibility to emotions and peer pressure
The come-what-may mindset and lack of self-control in teens is largely perpetuated by two factors, namely emotions and peer pressure. Anger, fear, frustration, anxiety, etc. can cause them to either act on impulse, or panic and do something without much thinking.



Regarding this, how can peer pressure affect you emotionally?

When peer pressure demands that they act in ways with which they are not comfortable, it can cause teens to suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Teenagers often feel very strong emotions, leading to noticeable extremes in mood. That said, depression is more than just feeling sad.

Also, what are the factors that influence peer pressure? The traits that put you at higher risk for falling in to the peer pressure trap include:
  • low self esteem.
  • lack of confidence.
  • uncertainty about ones place within a given peer group.
  • no personal interests exclusive of one's peer group.
  • feeling isolated from peers and/or family.
  • poor academic abilities or performance.

Also, how does peer pressure affect child development?

Peer pressure might encourage teens to become more active in athletics or to avoid risky behaviors. Or it could lead them to try alcohol or drugs, skip school or engage in other negative behaviors. “Teens have extra unconnected synapses in the area where risk-assessment occurs and this gets in the way of judgement.

How can peer pressure cause stress?

Peer pressure is an additional stress during the teen years. In an effort to establish and maintain friendships, teens can engage in behavior outside of their comfort zones to appease their peers. Stress trickles down, and anything that impacts the family can affect the teen.

20 Related Question Answers Found

Why is peer pressure harmful?

The list is endless. Peer pressure in high school is both harmful and effective because it can lead to teen depression, high stress levels, negative behavior issues, and poor decision-making and outcomes. Peer pressure is something that causes conflict in an individual's life.

What age group is most affected by peer pressure?

The extant literature on age differences in susceptibility to peer pressure over the course of adolescence describes a curvilinear pattern, in which individuals become more susceptible to peer influence between the ages of 10 and 14 and less susceptible between 14 and 18.

What are effects of peer pressure?

The list is endless. Peer pressure in high school is both harmful and effective because it can lead to teen depression, high stress levels, negative behavior issues, and poor decision-making and outcomes. Peer pressure is something that causes conflict in an individual's life.

How many deaths are caused by peer pressure?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports approximately 79,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States, making it the third leading lifestyle-related cause of death.

How does peer pressure affect decision making?


By putting in a decent amount of time into the decision making process, they increase the chances of making a decision they won't later regret. Peer pressure, on the other hand, may lead to making a choice with far-reaching consequences.

How peer pressure affects the brain?

As a teen, you can be especially sensitive to peer influence, better known as peer pressure. Science helps explain why. When a person makes a decision, different parts of the brain spring into action. The brain's limbic system generates an emotional response, and the prefrontal cortex produces rational thinking.

What percent of people give into peer pressure?

Thirty-eight percent of individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 report that they have been pressured by peers to drink beer or alcohol, 32 percent reported being pressured into having sex, 27 percent reported being pressured to do drugs, and 24 percent reported being pressured to smoke cigarettes.

How can peer pressure be prevented?

What strategies can help handle negative peer pressure?
  1. Pay attention to how you feel.
  2. Plan ahead.
  3. Talk to the person who is pressuring, let him or her know how it makes you feel and tell the person stop.
  4. Have a secret code to communicate with parents.
  5. Give an excuse.
  6. Have friends with similar values and beliefs.

How does peer pressure start?

Peer groups are usually cliques of friends who are about the same age. Peer pressure can begin in early childhood with children trying to get other kids to play the games they want. It generally increases through childhood and reaches its intensity in the preteen and teen years.

What are the causes and effects of peer pressure?


Causes and Effects of Peer Pressure. This is a life changing result from peer pressure. Negative peer pressure can cause teenagers to drink, do drugs, lie, cheat, and steal which can cause horrible things to occur to innocent people. Drinking is a negative effect of peer pressure.

What are examples of peer pressure?

Here are examples of peer pressure for adults:
  • Having a maid because others in your peer group have one.
  • Going to certain clubs where members of your peer group go.
  • Buying a BMW you can't afford because other in your peer group have luxury cars.
  • Not drinking alcohol at a party.
  • Waxing parts of your body.

How does peer influence affect students?

Peer Influence: How Peers Affect Student Decision Making. Peers shape our world throughout our lives in a variety of ways, but for no demographic more than adolescents. Peer influence can dictate the colleges students attend, the risky behavior they engage in, and their academic achievement.

What is positive peer influence?

Positive peer pressure is when someone's peers influence them to do something positive or growth building. For example, peers who are committed to doing well in school or at sport can influence others to be more goal orientated. Similarly, peers who are kind, loyal or supportive influence others to be the same.

What is the difference between peer pressure and peer influence?

Peer Pressure: Peer pressure is pressure from one's peers to act in a way that is acceptable to the others in the same group. Peer Influence: Peer influence is when a peer's act persuades the others to act in a particular way.

Is peer pressure harmful or beneficial to individual?


Peer pressure is an invisible – but powerful – force acting upon us that can do serious damage to our mental health. It has no practical benefits to our daily lives. Peer pressure can invade our minds. It can prevent us from seeing things or making decisions the way we normally would.

Why is peer pressure important?

It is natural, healthy and important for children to have and rely on friends as they grow and mature. Peers can be positive and supportive. They can help each other develop new skills, or stimulate interest in books, music or extracurricular activities. Kids often give in to peer pressure because they want to fit in.