Evaluation: Peer Influences

Question 1

Supporting evidence (Bruce Simons-Morton and Tilada Farhat 2010)

Answer 1

Reviewed 40 prospective studies into the relationship between peers and smoking and found that all but one showed a positive correlation. Supports the link.

Question 2

Peer influence or peer selection

Answer 2

Do the peers influence the individual to engage in the addictive behaviour or do individuals choose friends because they also engage in the behaviour. The role of paper selection is often underestimated.

Question 3

Susan Ennett and Kari Bauman (1994)

Answer 3

Found that participants who were non-smokers at the start of the study and who had smoking friends were more likely to smoke at the follow up. (Influence). There was also evidence that individuals had changed membership of friendship groups in like with their smoking (selection).