Peer Pressure Basics
What is peer pressure?
A. Encouragement to make healthy choices
B. When someone tries to influence your decisions
C. Only when someone dares you to do something
D. Teachers giving advice
B. When someone tries to influence your decisions
What is a simple, effective way to say no?
“No thanks, I’m good.”
You’re at a party and someone offers you a vape. Your friend says, “Come on, everyone’s doing it.” What’s the BEST response?
“No thanks, I’m good.”
True or False: Most teens actually give in to negative peer pressure.
False – Most teens make healthy choices.
What can you say to support a friend who’s being pressured?
“I’ve got your back” or “You don’t have to do that.”
True or False: Peer pressure only happens in high school.
False – It can happen at any age.
Which of the following is a healthy way to resist pressure?
A. Yell at the person
B. Ignore them
C. Suggest something else to do
D. Pretend to go along with it
C. Suggest something else to do
A group of friends makes fun of someone for not drinking. What type of pressure is this?
Indirect and social pressure.
Which of the following is a FALSE social norm?
A. Everyone skips class
B. Some people volunteer
C. Many students study for tests
D. Friends can be a positive influence
A.
Why is it important to make choices based on your values? (Short Answer)
Builds confidence, reduces regret, shows self-respect.
Which of the following is an example of positive peer pressure?
A. A friend encouraging you to skip class
B. A teammate pressuring you to train harder
C. Classmates teasing you for answering questions
D. Friends daring you to break a rule
B. A teammate pressuring you to train harder
Name two refusal strategies you can use. (Short Answer)
Saying no, walking away, using humor, repeating yourself, changing the subject, suggesting something else.
True or False: You have to explain your refusal to others for it to be valid.
False – A simple “no” is enough.
What is Social Norms Theory? (Short Answer)
It’s the idea that people often overestimate risky behaviors and underestimate healthy ones in their peer group.
What’s one thing you learned today that could help you make healthy choices? (Short Answer)
(Open-ended – award points for thoughtfulness.)
Why do people sometimes give in to peer pressure? (Short Answer)
To fit in, fear of being left out, wanting approval, and feeling unsure of themselves.
What does it mean to set a boundary? (Short Answer)
Communicating your limits and sticking to them.
Scenario: Your friend dares you to shoplift. What should you consider before making a decision? (Short Answer)
Your values, consequences, the law, how you’ll feel after, your safety.
Why do false norms cause more peer pressure? (Short Answer)
People think unhealthy behavior is more common than it is, so they feel more pressure to conform.
Your friend is being peer pressured to skip school. What can you do to support them? (Short Answer)
Talk with them, remind them of consequences, offer an alternative, stand with them.
What’s one difference between direct and indirect peer pressure? (Short Answer)
Direct is someone actively pressuring you (e.g., “Do it!”); indirect is the influence you feel from observing others.
You feel pressured to lie to a teacher. Write out a refusal statement you could use. (Short Answer)
Example: “I don’t feel right about that. I’d rather just be honest.”
Write or act out a role-play where one person resists peer pressure in a respectful way. (Interactive)
Teams present their role-play for points.
Create a “myth vs. fact” card about peer pressure or teen behavior. (Creative task)
Teams write or draw one myth and the real fact.
How can you be a positive influence in your friend group? (Short Answer)
Encourage good decisions, speak up, show kindness, lead by example.