peer pressure
PEER PRESH-er
/ˈpɪər ˌprɛʃər/
Influence from members of one's peer group.
Can be positive (e.g., encouraging academic achievement) or negative (e.g., encouraging risky behavior), but is most commonly discussed in a negative context, especially among adolescents.
The story behind the word. The term 'peer pressure' is a relatively modern compound, combining two older words. 'Peer' comes from the Old French 'per,' meaning 'equal,' which itself traces back to Latin 'par.' 'Pressure' comes from the Latin 'pressura,' meaning 'a pressing.' So, 'peer pressure' literally means the 'pressing' or influence exerted by one's equals, a concept that became particularly prominent in discussions of adolescent psychology in the 20th century.
Word relationships
- group influence: A broader, more neutral term for the impact of a group on an individual.
- social pressure: Similar to peer pressure but can come from any social group, not just equals.
- individual autonomy: The freedom to make one's own choices without external influence.
- self-determination: The process by which a person controls their own life.
Commonly confused with
- conformity: 'Peer pressure' is the force or influence exerted by peers; 'conformity' is the act of aligning one's behavior with group norms, often as a result of peer pressure.
Collocations
- negative peer pressure
- resist peer pressure
- succumb to peer pressure
- feel peer pressure
- positive peer pressure
Example sentences
- "Many teenagers struggle with peer pressure to conform to certain trends or engage in activities they might otherwise avoid." Discussing adolescent behavior.
- "Even adults can experience peer pressure, for instance, to work longer hours or participate in office social events." In a workplace setting.
- "Parents often worry about the negative peer pressure their children might encounter in school." From a parenting guide.
Memory hook
Imagine your 'peers' (equals) 'pressing' down on you to do something. Peers pressing
When not to use
Do not use 'peer pressure' to describe general social interaction or influence that doesn't involve a specific push or expectation from one's equals.
Fun facts
- The concept of peer pressure has been studied extensively in social psychology, particularly in relation to adolescent development and risk-taking behavior.
Related words
Explore more words
peer, groupthink, Conformity, adolescence, influence, persuade
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