Peer influences on college drinking: A review of the research

Abstract

Peer pressure is consistently implicated in the excessive drinking of college students. However, both theory and empirical findings suggest that peer pressure is a combination of three distinct influences: overt offers of alcohol, modeling, and social norms. Overt offers of alcohol can range from polite gestures to intense goading or commands to drink. Modeling occurs when the student's behavior corresponds to another student's concurrent drinking behavior. Perceived social norms can serve to make excessive alcohol use appear common and acceptable to the student. This review critically examines the literature on each form of peer influence and provides suggestions for future research. D

Feedback interventions for college alcohol misuse: What, why and for whom?

“…As previously mentioned, these findings are consistent with the large body of literature emphasizing the effects of social context and modeling on college drinking (Borsari & Carey, 2001;Graham, Marks, & Hansen, 1991;Larimer et al, 1997;Wood, Read, Palfai, & Stevenson, 2001). However, at this point, we know less about what information (e.g., quantity/frequency, peak BAC, consequences) or reference group (e.g., year in school, gender, athletic, Greek status) might be most motivating to students.…”

“…Perceived norms include perceptions of how much others drink (i.e., descriptive norms), as well as information about what others consider to be acceptable drinking practices (i.e., "injunctive" norms; Reno, Cialdini, & Kallgren, 1993). In this area, research finds that collegeaged drinkers tend to overestimate how much other students are drinking (Baer, Stacy, & Larimer, 1991;Borsari & Carey, 2001), and misjudge the prevailing attitudes toward alcohol use and drunkenness (Berkowitz & Perkins, 1986;O'Leary et al, 2002;Prentice & Miller, 1993). Social norms may be particularly relevant at the developmental stage of most college students, because they are exploring new roles, attitudes, and behaviors.…”

Theory-based active ingredients of effective treatments for substance use disorders

“…In contrast, MET asks clients to consider normative feedback about their substance use and its consequences. Given the substantial evidence that people evaluate and change their substance use behavior in relation to prevailing social norms (e.g., Borsari and Carey, 2001), the provision of normative feedback is likely to be an important ingredient of treatment.…”

Trajectories and determinants of alcohol use among LGB young adults and their heterosexual peers: Results from a prospective study.

“…Peers can influence the alcohol use patterns of young adults in several ways. In addition to contributing to the development of norms regarding alcohol use, peers exert direct pressure to drink and influence behavior via modeling of drinking behavior (Borsari & Carey, 2001). Another way in which peers can influence alcohol use during this developmental period is through the stability, intimacy, and support they provide-that is, through the quality of peer relationships (Borsari & Carey, 2006).…”