Peer Relations and Peer Pressure

Summary Evidence suggests that the need for acceptance is as strong as many appetitive drives, such that yielding to pressure to join undesired or undesirable activities may be the price paid for attachment to a group. High self esteem and self confidence not only serve to resist negative peer pressure, but will also be significant in the formation and maintenance of friendships, and entry to peer groupings, in the first place. Social, behavioural, and scholastic problems may be associated with a failure to develop peer relationships, hence the importance of early intervention in the case of children who appear to be at risk of peer rejection. Evidence exists for the efficacy of social skill training in enhancing interactions with peers.