Impacts Of Social Pressure
- For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
- For those experiencing abuse, please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- For those experiencing substance use, please contact SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357
For better or worse, our choices as human beings tend to be impacted by messages from society, culture, family, and friends. These messages, sometimes known as social pressure, or “peer pressure,” can push us to behave in certain ways or make specific decisions.
Although social pressure can be an important factor in our lives, it’s not the only thing that influences our decisions. We still have the ability to make up our own minds about things, and we can still decide for ourselves whether to conform to what others are demanding or choose our own paths. If you find it challenging to resist social pressure and make independent decisions, you may benefit from online therapy.
Defining social pressure
Social pressure is the influence that people feel from others in their social circle or society at large to act, think, or behave in a certain way. It can encourage positive actions, like being kind or working hard, but it can also push individuals towards negative behaviors, such as conforming to harmful norms or engaging in risky activities just to fit in. Essentially, it's the push and pull we all experience from the people and culture around us, shaping our actions and decisions, sometimes even without us realizing it.
The desire to fit in
Social pressure encourages people to try to fit in with those around them. Sometimes fitting in may come naturally, but in other cases, a person may feel the need to change their views, choices, and outlooks to avoid being the odd one out. This innate inclination towards social conformity isn't just about immediate social comfort; it's deeply rooted in our evolutionary past.
As a species, human beings depend on one another—while other organisms may thrive in solitude, we survive best when living in a community. Consequently, we have evolved to seek conformity as a means to ensure social harmony and mutual survival. Adapting to shared norms and values helps us integrate into our social groups, making us more likely to receive support and cooperation from others.
In essence, our survival and success as a species have been significantly influenced by our ability to conform to the group expectations of our communities. Part of this evolutionary process may have resulted in our brains being hard-wired to respond to social pressure—one study, for instance, found that social pressure and the responses it elicits seem to have measurable effects on the brain.
Humans also tend to look at the groups we’re in for guidance about what to do and how to behave. In psychology, this is known as the “principle of social proof.” Social proof, which can also encompass things like popularity, can be thought of as subtle social pressure. When we make decisions based on social proof, we may assume that an activity or item must be good because a lot of people do the activity or like the item.
The pros and cons of conformity
When we adjust our views or behaviors to fit in with other people, we may be altering ourselves to conform to a certain standard. These standards could be explicitly stated, as in the case of a written or oral set of instructions or requests, or they could be implicit, normative expectations for how a particular group behaves or functions.
In some situations, conformity may be good or even necessary. For example, conformity can be beneficial for:
- Social order: Conformity helps in the proper functioning of society. For example, we practice conformity when we drive a car, for example, because following the rules of the road generally makes it more likely that we will get to our destination safely.
- Workplace harmony: In a professional setting, conformity can help ensure that work is done safely and efficiently, and it helps maintain a comfortable environment for workers, customers, and visitors. Shared goals and values can also be helpful in forging a strong team dynamic.
- Cultural or religious integration: People who belong to a religion or culture may find comfort and community in conforming to beliefs, modes of dress, and dietary practices, as well as certain holidays or traditions.
- Positive social influence: Positive responses to the pressure to conform can include things like seeking out friendships with good people and working to maintain those friendships, changing unhealthy habits, finding a good career, and even respecting and communing with the people around us.
- Expanding horizons: Being part of a group can encourage individuals to try new activities and experiences that they might not have considered on their own.
However, social pressure can also lead us to behave in ways that aren’t good for ourselves or those around us. A desire to conform could be problematic if it involves:
- Negative peer pressure: The desire to fit in can lead people to engage in harmful behaviors, such as substance abuse or unwanted sexual activities.
- Fear of punishment or ostracism: Conforming out of fear can lead to harmful practices or norms, even when individuals know they are wrong.
- Undue obedience to authority: Blind conformity to authority can result in harmful situations, as questioning and dissent are suppressed.
- Suppression of individuality: Conformity can stifle personal expression and the uniqueness of individuals, leading to a lack of diversity in thoughts and actions.
Groupthink: A high pressure to conform within groups can result in poor decision-making, as dissenting opinions and critical information are withheld for fear of backlash.
Making independent choices
This doesn’t necessarily mean that we need to rebel against all social pressure, since not all social pressure is automatically bad. However, while no one can be entirely immune to social pressure, maintaining the ability to make independent choices is a little extra something that can help us avoid falling into harmful behaviors and situations just to get along.
It may also be important to remember that while conforming may be the right thing to do in some situations, expressing your own individuality may be even more important than going along with the crowd. Knowing how to express your individuality can be a valuable skill to have. Respecting your own uniqueness can be an important tool in boosting your self-esteem and developing your personal identity. It can help you make better choices that align with your own values.
It can be worthwhile to find a healthy balance between social pressure and independent choices. We often find value in community, a sense of belonging, and support from our family and peers. However, being able to stand on our own two feet and make our own choices sometimes may be the better thing to do.
How to handle social pressures
Having a hard time with social pressure is a challenge many people face. While social pressure may impact our choices in various ways, it can become a problem in our lives if we too frequently feel compelled to go along with the group instead of making our own decisions, especially if we sense that what the group is doing might be harmful to ourselves or to other people.
Being too intent on pleasing others, especially if we tend to do it to our own detriment, also can be one of the traits of trauma response. Psychologist Pete Walker calls the tendency to people-please the “fawn” response, and notes that it often arises as a childhood survival strategy meant to appease a neglectful or abusive parent. Adults who have a fawn response can have difficulty setting boundaries with other people, and as a result may find themselves in codependent or other types of harmful relationships that they may have difficulty leaving.
Resources for support and guidance
If you find yourself regularly having difficulty with social pressure or other issues, speaking with a therapist could be of value to you. Learning more about your situation, gaining new perspectives, and coming up with possible solutions to manage social pressures are some of the potential benefits linked to working with a mental health professional.
Some people prefer to have in-person sessions with a therapist in their area, but online resources are also available. Online therapy can pair you with a licensed therapist who has training and expertise in the issues that you might want to discuss and work on.
One benefit of online therapy is that you can have your sessions in the comfort of your own home, or wherever you have an Internet connection. In many places, online therapy might be less expensive than traditional in-person sessions. Studies have also shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions and that online therapy using specific techniques such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma-related issues may yield positive results.
Takeaway
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about "social pressure” or “peer pressure.”
What are examples of societal pressures?
Societal pressure generally refers to social forces that guide and shape a person’s behavior. One common example is peer pressure surrounding the use of drugs and alcohol. If a person’s peer group has many members who regularly use substances, it will likely increase the chances of that person using substances as well. Peer pressure surrounding substance use is especially relevant to teens and young adults, who are more likely to try to gain social status by engaging in risky behaviors.
Teenagers and young adults are often exposed to significant conformity pressure, meaning they feel greater pressure to “fit in” than older adults. Examples might include participating in current fashion trends, owning the latest technology, or participating in activities likely to increase social status, such as attending a popular artist’s concert. Learning how to balance peer pressure alongside good decision-making is often an important part of becoming a well-adjusted adult.
What are the effects of social pressure?
Social pressure can cause many outcomes, mainly depending on how the person feeling the pressure responds to it. Social pressure can also have both positive and negative effects. It might increase a person’s motivation to seek personal growth and self-improvement, or it could lead to sensations of inadequacy and depression. For example, a student at a university might have greater motivation to study if surrounded by peers who prioritize studying. In contrast, students with a peer group prioritizing partying might study significantly less.
Examining the effects of social media use can likely provide another example of the varying effects of social pressure. Substantial evidence suggests that social media increases the chances of social comparison. If a person compares themselves to others unfavorably, they are significantly more likely to experience mental health concerns connected to social media. However, evidence also exists that suggests social media use can boost mental health by increasing self-awareness and self-esteem. As with other examples, it is often a person’s response to social pressure, rather than the pressure itself, that determines its effect.
What causes social or peer pressure?
Modern social pressure has its roots in evolutionary mechanisms that helped humanity survive in its earliest days. Like many mammals, humans exhibit herd behavior, which refers to individuals acting collectively without centralized direction. Herd behavior is affected by neuropsychological, behavioral, and cultural elements. Neuropsychological components include brain structures and functions designed to allow one person to unconsciously mimic another, such as mirror neurons and the ability to replicate facial expressions.
The ability to recognize the behavior and emotions of others is a foundational part of how humans developed modern society. Humans also developed an innate drive to cooperate and engage in similar behavior. Typically, there are social costs associated with non-adherence, which, in ancient times, might have meant losing the safeguarding of a tribe. In contrast, a modern social cost could mean being ostracized by a peer group for not adhering to social norms.
Many people adopt social norms because they are the norm in the culture they grew up in. In many cases, they may not be aware of why those social norms are correct but are likely aware of the social consequences of not following them. The lack of a consistent rationale helps demonstrate social pressure's neurobiological foundations. It is often based partly on ancient evolutionary mechanisms that aren’t always accurate in modern society.
How can I resist social pressure?
Resisting social pressure may be as simple as declining to participate in risky activities or as substantial as taking a morally rebellious stance against well-established norms. One of the best ways to resist social pressure is likely to critically analyze why the social pressure exists. Social pressure often comes from factors that are not well thought out. For example, many communities worldwide experience tension between different racial and ethnic groups. That tension can lead to racism and racially-driven behaviors, many of which are based on stereotypes and erroneous assumptions, not critical thought.
Understanding what factors underlie racial tension might help a person rise above the herd mentality associated with community racism. Learning the facts about where racist ideas originate often reveals the logical inaccuracies and false arguments that are commonly used to justify racist behavior.
What is social pressure for students?
Social pressure for students often refers to academic pressure. Academic pressure can take many forms, such as the pressure to achieve high grades, engage socially at school, or interact appropriately with faculty and administration. Evidence suggests that academic pressure can increase problem behavior in adolescents and is associated with increased stress. Some students may find their workload overwhelming, while others struggle to achieve the social goals typical of many adolescents and young adults. While academic pressure can sometimes be substantial, evidence suggests that building resilience and learning self-management strategies can help students considerably reduce it.
How do social pressures influence our thoughts and behaviors?
Humans are social beings whose brains have evolved to quickly notice and interpret social norms. In the early days of humanity, committing to social norms was necessary for survival. Humans could only thrive in tribal communities; trying to survive independently would typically be unwise. Over time, society progressed to the point where social norms no longer guide survival but still serve the important function of increasing cohesion and collaboration between humans.
However, the brain's powerful social functions also have drawbacks in modern society. One example is groupthink, which occurs when group members accept a shared viewpoint without each person thinking it through critically. When groupthink occurs, social pressure overrides each member’s ability to reason through a situation and address it logically. In some cases, such as in ancient times when a tribe was attacked, groupthink allows a group to bypass a slow decision-making process and rapidly coordinate. In other cases, groupthink can lead to antisocial behaviors and justify actions a person might not engage in alone.
How does social pressure affect the family?
Social pressure is a significant component of family bonds. Children learn social norms by being instructed—such as when a parent disciplines them—and by observing the actions of those around them. For many, their family primarily introduces the social norms they adopt growing up. When other social norms conflict with the norms observed by their family, a person may conflict with those inside or outside their family. They may reject their family’s norms based on critical analysis, or they might defend them against perceived incorrect norms present in society. Likely, the interplay between societal and family norms can substantially impact family dynamics and cohesion.
Why do people resist social pressure?
Many people resist social pressure for personal reasons, often because the social norms they have adopted conflict with the norms they are resisting. For example, a person raised by a family that encouraged kindness, compassion, and open expression might resist norms prioritizing emotional control, ruthlessness, or deprioritizing empathy. Similarly, a person raised in an individualist culture, which prioritizes individual accomplishments above group success, might resist social pressure from a collectivist culture, which prioritizes teamwork, reliance on family, and social engagement.
Can social pressure be positive?
Many people speak of social pressure negatively, but evidence suggests it can be a powerful positive force. Social pressure can substantially increase motivation, and social recognition - often achieved after conforming to social norms - can substantially increase self-esteem. It is important to remember that not conforming to social pressure often comes with social costs. However, many people may find their values at odds with some social norms, and it will likely be beneficial to resist social pressure and accept the social costs in some cases.
- Previous Article
- Next Article