Age differences in resistance to peer influence.

Abstract

Prior research describes the development of susceptibility to peer pressure in adolescence as following an inverted U-shaped curve, increasing during early adolescence, peaking around age 14, and declining thereafter. This pattern, however, is derived mainly from studies that specifically examined peer pressure to engage in antisocial behavior. In the present study, age differences and developmental change in resistance to peer influence were assessed using a new self-report instrument that separates susceptibility to peer pressure from willingness to engage in antisocial activity. Data from four ethnically and socioeconomically diverse samples comprising more than 3,600 males and females between the ages of 10 and 30 were pooled from one longitudinal and two cross-sectional studies. Results show that across all demographic groups, resistance to peer influences increases linearly between ages 14 and 18. In contrast, there is little evidence for growth in this capacity between ages 10 and 14 or between 18 and 30. Middle adolescence is an especially significant period for the development of the capacity to stand up for what one believes and resist the pressures of one's peers to do otherwise.

Age differences in the prosocial influence effect

“…As a result, we cannot draw conclusions from the current study about whether the results are unique to prosocial behaviour (although studies indicate that age‐related decreases in social influence are seen for other types of behaviour too, such as risk perception and antisocial behaviour; Knoll et al., 2015, 2017; Steinberg & Monahan, 2007; Sumter et al., 2009). Further studies could assess how age affects prosocial, neutral and antisocial influence within the same paradigm.…”

“…Previous research has shown that susceptibility to social influence is at its highest in late childhood (approximately age 8–10 years) then gradually decreases across the adolescent years (approximately 11–18 years) and into adulthood (19 years and above; Knoll, Leung, Foulkes, & Blakemore, 2017; Knoll, Magis‐Weinberg, Speekenbrink, & Blakemore, 2015; Steinberg & Monahan, 2007; Sumter, Bokhorst, Steinberg, & Westenberg, 2009). As such, relative to adults, children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to being influenced by others.…”

“…This is based on previous evidence that the magnitude of susceptibility to social influence (typically for risky or negative domains) decreases over time (Knoll et al., 2015; Steinberg & Monahan, 2007; Sumter et al., 2009). …”

Liens drogue-délinquance lucrative chez les adolescents

“…Il y a quand même fort à parier que l'argent qu'il en tirerait lui servirait au moins en partie à consommer. En ce sens, l'adolescence est une période où il est très important de plaire aux pairs, ce qui peut même constituer une motivation à s'engager dans la délinquance (Brown et Larson, 2009 ;Brunelle et al, 2005 ;Monahan, Rhew, Hawkins et Brown, 2013 ;Steinberg et Monahan, 2007). De plus, l'explication économico-compulsive postule que la consommation de SPA précède la commission de délits lucratifs.…”

Resistance to Peer Influence and the Adolescent Brain

“…dolescents differ in their sensitivity to peer pressure, and their ability to resist peer influences; the latter trait can be assessed with a self-report questionnaire designed to minimize socially desirable responding (Steinberg and Monahan 2007). Which neural systems -if any -are engaged differentially in children or adolescents who differ in their resistance to peer influences?…”