h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The term 'peer pressure' makes it seem as if the group are focussing their attention on an individual in order to pressure them into conforming to the group norm. But isn't it fair to say that the willingness of the individual to conform is a more important factor in individual/group relations? Most people are in a group situation because they want to be. The exceptions that spring to mind are school, work and at home.
So, my two cents worth: peer pressure is passive in nature, the urge to conform on the part of the individual is the active ingredient here.

It works both ways, I'll give you that, but it goes too far to say the urge to conform on the part of the one is paramount. There is most definitely an urge from the group to have the individual conform and blend in.

I think it's like this: the individual wants to be part of the group, but it's the group that demands the individual to conform while joining.

But a group is just a collection of individuals. So if each one wants to belong to the group who is that starts laying down the definitions of how to acheive that? Surely the individuals are going to tend towards those who's desires fit their own. No doubt someone will have a counter point to this but then isn't that the point of these discussions?

then a group is surely defined by its behavior as opposed to the fact that any individual chooses to be a part of it.
peer pressure could be defined as the desire of the group to confirm its identifying behaviours eg: a non-smoker makes a group of smokers look apathetic about its health

Personally, I don't believe peer pressure is actually a thing that exists per se. What it is, is a misconception on the part of the individual. Without any prompting from the group, the individual feels that a thing is required of him/her merely because it has been suggested that he/her do it. The emotions and insecurities of the individual attempt to hide behind a facade, a "Look, I'm just like all of you." mask, whereas, if the act is not played out, the "victim" feels that any inconsistencies or weaknesses in him/herself will be highlighted.

There are many kinds of signals a group can send to an individual to build pressure. Verbal, silent, or just by turning away and not giving signals at all, that's a signal too. Peer pressure is not merely a question of the perception by the indiv.

Groups usually have no difficulty making known who is part of them, and who isn't. Gang colours are an example. Peer pressure in one form would be that the gang asks of you to wear the same gang colours. Fairly innocnet, and understandable. However, if it is then also made known to the indiv that there is a war going on with a certain other gang, peer pressure is a lot nastier, but not different. Where is these examples can you say that the pressure is merely perceived by the individual?

It's human nature to want to be a part of something, to want to conform, yet it's also human nature to want to stand out from the crowd; "I'm an individual like everybody else" - everyone wants to belong - it's a basic instinct, in which case the peer pressure is almost an unconcious thing - I doubt a group of people sit around going "let's make Tony smoke", it's more likely to be Tony watching thm smoke, and wanting to be friends with them, and feeling that in order to be friends with them he /must/ start smoking.

Screwed up world we live in, eh?!

no, it isn't. we're just people in need of recognition. by smoking, tony acknowledges that he's part of a smoking group (or, by Jove, that he likes cigarettes: it's not all peer pressure mind you), and by smoking with him, the group acknowledges that they're with tony.

Oh and another thing about smoking: there's also a feeling of maturity in there, which is also not just peer pressure. you smoke, therefor you are a man. like shaving, only you can't do that yet. Like chest hair, only you don't have that yet. so you smoke, and you prance around a lot, and you swear. hopefully, some girl will think your older and more impressive than you think you are...