AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT PEER PRESSURE HAS ON YOUNG ADULTS

The current study seeks to bridge the gap betweenadolescence and young adulthood and provide a morein-depth account of the role peer pressure plays indevelopment and decision making. By looking at asample of undergraduate college students I haveemphasized the social aspect of young adulthoodthrough college attendance which is experienced bymany in this age group while at the same timeextending the scope of peer pressure strength. Theaverage college student, often referred to asa "traditional student", is entering into youngadulthood and experiencing many shifts in routineand expectations. I argue in this study that peerpressure does not cease to exist after adolescencebut rather remains strong and provides a conduitsometimes leading to and/or reinforcing negativebehaviors, specifically marijuana use.

Autorentext

Dr. Hallie Stephens Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Department of Behavior Sciences Southeastern Oklahoma State University 1405 North 4th Ave Durant, Ok. 74701 Office: (580)745-2044 Fax: (580)745-7421 E-mail: hstephens@se.edu

Klappentext
The current study seeks to bridge the gap between adolescence and young adulthood and provide a more in-depth account of the role peer pressure plays in development and decision making. By looking at a sample of undergraduate college students I have emphasized the social aspect of young adulthood through college attendance which is experienced by many in this age group while at the same time extending the scope of peer pressure strength. The average college student, often referred to as a "traditional student", is entering into young adulthood and experiencing many shifts in routine and expectations. I argue in this study that peer pressure does not cease to exist after adolescence but rather remains strong and provides a conduit sometimes leading to and/or reinforcing negative behaviors, specifically marijuana use.