The concept of “peer pressure” traditionally conjures images of children or teenagers navigating extreme situations under the influence of their contemporaries. A researcher from the University of Texas at Dallas was curious to know whether adults are subject to similar pressures of social conformity in their day-to-day lives.
Dr. Kendra Seaman, an assistant professor of psychology within the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, and her team embarked on an investigative journey to explore the tug-of-war between self-discipline and the forces of peer pressure among individuals aged 18 and above.
Their findings, published on December 7 in the journal Psychology and Aging, emerge from a study involving 157 adults ranging from 18 to 80 years old. Participants were subjected to random surveys sent via text messages to capture their moments of self-control against spontaneous desires in the fabric of daily life.
The study illuminated that while the tendrils of peer pressure extend into early adulthood, individuals in their middle ages and beyond exhibit a more substantial capability to manage their desires.
Dr. Seaman, who also leads the Aging Well Lab at the Center for Vital Longevity at UT Dallas, shared insights into the evolving nature of susceptibility to peer pressure. Contrary to the prevailing thought that such susceptibility peaks during adolescence before fading away in early adulthood, the journey towards mastering self-control in the face of social conformity pressures in adulthood remains under-explored.
Although older adults generally demonstrate superior emotional regulation, signifying enhanced self-control and a diminished tendency towards conformity, they face unique challenges. New priorities and life situations complicate their ability to resist peer influences, especially when observing their contemporaries engaging in such behaviours.
The study prompted participants to reflect on recent cravings or desires and the context in which these arose, including whether they conflicted with personal goals or occurred in the company of others. This approach aimed to dissect the dynamics of desire, conflict, and yield to peer influence across different age groups.
Findings underscored a notable difference in how middle-aged and older adults manage their desires in social settings compared to their younger counterparts, indicating a developmental trajectory of self-control that spans adulthood.
Dr Seaman emphasized that the study sheds light on aspects of peer pressure beyond high-risk adolescent behaviours, focusing instead on everyday temptations like indulging in a glass of wine or engaging with social media. The methodology, centred on immediate memories rather than retrospective recollections, enhances the reliability of the data, offering a vivid snapshot of real-world self-control and social conformity.
This exploration into social conformity and self-control across adult life marks a pioneering step in understanding human behaviour. The research confirms the presence of peer pressure in young adulthood and, to a lesser extent, in middle age. It contributes to a nuanced comprehension of how resistance to social conformity evolves throughout the adult lifespan.
More information: Castrellon, J. J., Zald, D. H., Samanez-Larkin, G. R., & Seaman, K. L. Adult age-related differences in susceptibility to social conformity pressures in self-control over daily desires, Psychology and Aging. DOI: 10.1037/pag0000790
Journal information: Psychology and Aging Provided by The University of Texas at Dallas
