Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
6. Discuss the role of Social influence, peer-pressure in shaping behavior of a person. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper IV.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the role of Social influence, peer-pressure in shaping behavior of a person.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Discuss what you understand by peer pressure.
Body:
Peer pressure (or social pressure) is the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual. This can result in either a positive or negative effect, or both. Discuss the effect of social pressure on different sections of the society – children, adolescents, young and old. Explain the positives and negatives of it.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Susceptibility to social influence is associated with a host of negative outcomes during adolescence. However, emerging evidence implicates the role of peers and parents in adolescents’ positive and adaptive adjustment.
