Peer Pressure, Refusal Skills, and Goal Setting

peer pressure review

  • peer pressure: [usually negative] influence from members of one's peer group
  • takes many different forms (four major types)   * friendly pressure: eventually saying yes, repetition   * teasing pressure: making fun, degradation   * heavy pressure: threats, experience loss   * unseen pressure: one’s pressures on oneself
  • refusal skills (the ability to refuse actions that don’t fit with responsible decision making) helps combat peer pressure

refusal skills

saying no to peer pressure

  1. avoid risky situations
  2. say “no” firmly and decisively, but don’t make a big deal out of it

       1. offer reasoning    2. suggest an alternative

  1. walk away
  2. hang out with people who don’t partake in dangerous activities
  3. convince your friends not to use
  • peer pressure can be positive

using refusal skills

  • three goals of refusal skills   * keep your friends   * have fun   * stay out of trouble
  • five steps   * ask questions     * determine if a situation will involve trouble   * name the trouble     * identify the risky action   * state the consequences     * identify potential consequences of the risky action   * suggest an alternative and start to leave     * offer another activity that is not dangerous   * keep the door open     * invite your friends to join you in the other activity

achieving your goals

goal realization process

  1. identify your goals

       1. must be specific, measurable, and realistic

  1. identify the benefits of reaching these goals
  2. identify individuals and/or groups that could aid you in achieving these goals
  3. identify potential obstacles that may prevent you from achieving these goals

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