Positive And Negative Peer Pressure

If people are asked to think about the reason behind making a certain choice, it might seem like an easy question. Their answers might all point in the same direction: preferences, likes, dislikes, beliefs… But is it true? Is it true that every choice made is only based on one’s personal tastes and opinions? Society plays a major role in our everyday lives without even realizing it. Man is a social animal; he has a natural urge to live an associated life with others and needs society for his existence or survival. Thus, society and individuals are bound by an intimate and harmonious bond. (Hossain and Ali, 2014). According to Jonah Berger (2016), others have a huge influence on almost every aspect of life. People vote because others are voting,

This behavior is the result of peer pressure. Because social acceptance by a group becomes so important, one tends to modify his/her speech, behavior, dress code, and activities to avoid negative peer evaluations (Oswalt, 2010). According to Parker-Pope (2011), peer pressure has a distinct effect on the brain signals involving risk and reward, helping to explain why individuals, especially young people, take risks when their peers are watching. Moreover, peer influence can be both positive and negative. While many might think that this type of influence leads to bad habits, attitudes, or behaviors, it can also motivate an individual to engage and participate in certain activities or volunteer for community and social services. For example, some teens report that their friends pressure them not to engage in drugs and sexual activity at such an early age (de Guzman, 2007). As mentioned in the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Dill, a neighbor of Jem and Scout, is a bad influence on the kids. Lee states the following in chapter one: “… and it was then that Dill gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out.” (1960, p.10). The two siblings are very well behaved and never seem to break the rules set by their father until Dill arrives in town. In addition, Dill makes Jem take some risks and do things he doesn’t usually do. Being called a coward, Jem gets pressured by his neighbor and knocks

They put forward this idea by stating that if those children are influenced by their surroundings, then they would: have similar personalities, and react and behave in the same way. To illustrate, adoptees resemble their biological parents in genes and personality. Consider a family of three that adopts a child. Even though the adoptee isn’t raised by his/her biological parents, this child would have a different personality than that of the other kid in the family (Shaffer, 2008). This proves that the social environment of the child doesn’t affect or predict his/her personality in any way. According to Lee (1960), Jem and his sister Scout are two siblings with different personalities. While Scout is quick-tempered, Jem is calm and protective. The following is mentioned in the novel: “… I’m not worried about Jem keeping his head, but Scout’d just as soon jump on someone as look at him if her pride’s at sake.”(Lee, 1960, p.116). Jem feels the urge to protect his little sister by listening to his father’s advice, whereas Scout tends to deal with her problems without thinking twice of the consequences of her acts. Although this might be true, reality is that siblings end up having the same morals, principles, and beliefs. It has been found that the interaction between parents affects a child’s emotional and social development. Thus,