Peer Pressure & Parental Monitoring in Adolescence Michael Hoerger

Introduction Teenage years are a vulnerable time due to major physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changesTeenage years are a vulnerable time due to major physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes Risky behaviors, such as drinking, smoking, using drugs, or having sex can cause problems when used in excessRisky behaviors, such as drinking, smoking, using drugs, or having sex can cause problems when used in excess To prevent problems, developmental psychologists must accurately determine the most important causesTo prevent problems, developmental psychologists must accurately determine the most important causes

3 Potential Culprits Psychologists and the media focus on 3 central causes: peer influence, peer selection, and parental monitoringPsychologists and the media focus on 3 central causes: peer influence, peer selection, and parental monitoring Peer Influence (socialization):Peer Influence (socialization): Includes obvious persuasion attempts, commonly referred to as “peer pressure”Includes obvious persuasion attempts, commonly referred to as “peer pressure” Includes subtle forms, such as group norms, values, and expectations (e.g. everyone else is having sex)Includes subtle forms, such as group norms, values, and expectations (e.g. everyone else is having sex)

Peer Selection: choosing peers who have similar attitudes and behaviorsPeer Selection: choosing peers who have similar attitudes and behaviors Obvious example: you like smoking or drinking, so you seek out friends who also like to smoke and drinkObvious example: you like smoking or drinking, so you seek out friends who also like to smoke and drink Subtle example #1: risk takingSubtle example #1: risk taking Subtle example #2: depressionSubtle example #2: depression

Parental Monitoring: parental involvement, support, communication, and attentionParental Monitoring: parental involvement, support, communication, and attention Obvious examples: cell phone tracking devices, calling you at a friend’s house, meeting all friends in advanceObvious examples: cell phone tracking devices, calling you at a friend’s house, meeting all friends in advance Subtle examples: asking about your day, attending a soccer gameSubtle examples: asking about your day, attending a soccer game

Discussion Of the three culprits what matters most? Peer influence… Peer selection… Parental monitoring? Are there any additional factors that play a role?

Teen Smoking

Findings from Smoking Research Peer Influence does not matterPeer Influence does not matter Having a lot of friends who smoke did not lead to changes in one’s smoking behaviorHaving a lot of friends who smoke did not lead to changes in one’s smoking behavior Peer selection does matterPeer selection does matter If you smoke, you’re likely to choose more and more friends who smokeIf you smoke, you’re likely to choose more and more friends who smoke

Parental monitoring does matter:Parental monitoring does matter: Being an involved parent, having high expectations, and monitoring the teen’s behavior prevent increases in smokingBeing an involved parent, having high expectations, and monitoring the teen’s behavior prevent increases in smoking Responsive parenting (increasing efforts when problems are observed) is most effectiveResponsive parenting (increasing efforts when problems are observed) is most effective

Paper #2 Due Wednesday!Due Wednesday! Remember: two copies of the paper, one copy of each articleRemember: two copies of the paper, one copy of each article 4 scientific sources, no more than 1 can be a scientific review4 scientific sources, no more than 1 can be a scientific review Do proof-readDo proof-read Do me if you have questions or concernsDo me if you have questions or concerns

Michael Hoerger Michael Hoerger To cite this lecture: Hoerger, M. (2007, March 19). Peer Pressure and Parental Monitoring. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.Hoerger, M. (2007, March 19). Peer Pressure and Parental Monitoring. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.