Event Title

Peer Pressure & Need for Approval in Social Situations Involving Alcohol

Presenter Information

Ashely M. Weaver, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 255

Start Date

28-4-2009 9:00 AM

End Date

28-4-2009 11:00 AM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Emily Stark

Mentor's Department

Psychology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

With the rise of alcohol related deaths among Minnesota university students, it is important to examine underlying pressures that may cause a college student to drink. Several studies have shown relationships between peer pressure and alcohol consumption. This study examined the relationship between peer pressure to drink and a student's need for social approval according to the Crowne and Marlow (1960) Scale of Social Desirability. Participants were students from Minnesota State University, Mankato and completed a survey including questions about alcohol consumption, hypothetical social situations involving alcohol, and the social desirability scale. It is hypothesized that the higher a person's need for social approval, the more likely they will give in to peer pressure and drink alcohol.