1 of 13

Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills

Your friends are trying to persuade you to go to a party, but you aren’t sure because you don’t know the person who’s throwing the party.

What will you do?

2 of 13

Lesson Objectives

Demonstrate refusal strategies and apply skills for making responsible decisions under pressure.

Classify forms of communication such as passive, aggressive, or assertive.

Analyze the relationship between the use of refusal skills and the avoidance of unsafe situations.

In this lesson, you’ll learn to:

3 of 13

Peer Pressure

Your peers can sometimes influence how you think, feel, and act.

Peer pressure can have a positive or negative influence on your actions and behaviors.

It is useful to learn to evaluate forms of peer pressure and develop healthful strategies for responding to it.

4 of 13

Peer Pressure

Positive Peer Pressure

Peers can influence you in many positive ways.

Positive peer pressure may involve not participating in risky behaviors or activities.

You can also use positive peer pressure to influence others in healthful ways.

You can be a role model by inspiring peers to take part in a positive act or a worthwhile cause.

5 of 13

Peer Pressure

Negative Peer Pressure

Peers sometimes pressure others to take part in behaviors or accept beliefs that have negative consequences.

Negative peer pressure can involve harassment, which includes name-calling, teasing, or bullying.

Negative peer pressure may also lead some teens to engage in behaviors that go against their values.

Manipulation is another way of exerting negative peer pressure on others.

6 of 13

Peer Pressure

Common Methods of Manipulation

7 of 13

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

How to Resist Peer Pressure

One way to resist negative peer pressure is to avoid it.

Develop friendships with people who share your values and

interests.

Have friends who stand by you and support your decision.

8 of 13

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

Things to Remember When Faced with Peer Pressure

It is important to

remain firm and stay

true to yourself.

Make decisions that

have the best possible

effect on your

well-being.

Your health and

safety come first.

Respect yourself,

stand by your values,

and be assertive in

your refusal.

9 of 13

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

Assertive communication is when you state your position and stand your ground while acknowledging the rights of others.

This is the most effective approach when facing negative peer influences.

Assertive Refusal

10 of 13

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

Refusal Skills

Effective refusal skills involve a three-step process.

State your position. Give an honest reason for your response.

Offering a legitimate reason will help strengthen your refusal.

Suggest alternatives. Your suggestion is most effective if �it takes you away from the dangerous or unpleasant situation.�
Stand your ground. Use strong body language and maintain �eye contact.

11 of 13

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

Body Language and Assertive Refusal

12 of 13

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

Passive and Aggressive Responses

Passive Responses

To some people, a passive response to negative peer pressure seems more natural.

Teens who respond passively to peer pressure may believe they are making friends by going along.

Passive people may be viewed as pushovers who aren’t worthy of respect.

Aggressive

Responses

13 of 13

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

Learning and practicing assertive communication is the most effective way to deal with peer pressure.

Being assertive will help you resist negative peer pressure today, and it will also serve as a useful skill throughout your life.

Assertive Communication