Peer Pressure and Conformity - Assignment Example

? Psychology Describe the four categories of peer acceptance, noting how each is related to social behavior, and discuss ways to help rejected children.  In regard to social behavior, there are four categories of peer acceptance that define the degree to which children are socially accepted by their peers. The major categories include popular children, rejected children, neglected children, and controversial children. The popular children category refers to a group that consists of likeable children in regard to their social and competence. Controversial children category refers to children that disclose both and negative and positive social behaviors and this makes their opinions mixed. The rejected children category has children of withdrawn and shy characteristics and in most cases they keep to themselves and engage in activities with children of similar characteristics. In conclusion, the neglected children category defines a class of individuals with lessened levels of interaction with other class members. It is important to note that these children are also socially skilled as the average children. These are an expression of conservative children with a well founded emotional well-being. The most common interventions for aiding rejected children in relation to their peer psychological and peer relations include reinforcing positive skills such as training them to interact with their peers and encouraging cooperation in games. It is also important to consider tutoring these children on friendly responses to other children as well as polite ways of accompanying better behavior. In addition, tutoring these children helps in raising their academic motivations. However, although these interventions are effective, the first step is to change the home setting from inspiring their children. 2. Discuss peer pressure and conformity, noting the domains in which peers exert the greatest influence as well as factors that help adolescents resist peer pressure.  It is normal for people to have a natural need and desire to be a fraction of a crowd so as to encourage acceptance rather than rejection. In this regard, conformity remains as among the most influential strengths that society ridicules an individual through its application. In simpletons conformity is a as a result of theories based on the principles of consistency. In addition, conformity is a kind of compliance this concept is best illustrated in the context of peer pressure. This is so in most cases when a large group of people share similar beliefs and opinions. In most instances, it is not uncommon to experience feelings and emotions of indifference when personal opinions are in contrast to those of others. In summary, peers tend to desire conformity in what their others peers indulge and this affords them a sense of belonging (Jose, Craig & Cathy, 2009, p.230). These peers exert most pressure in areas regarding breaking the law for the purpose of entertainment. Such areas include the indulgence of unprotected sexual activity, drug abuse, and alcoholism as well as other social ills that penetrate the minds of these young and innocent adolescents. However, not all adolescents are susceptible to the traps of conformity. Some of these teens overcome the temptations of not conforming to a certain dictated code of behavior as a result of strict upbringings as well as the indifferences make these teens desire other preferences. Some of these peers are of the opinion that they define their own destinies through maintaining positive attitudes despite ridicule and mockery from the conformed teens. 3. Each day on the school bus and during recess, Jodee—a quiet, sensitive fifth grader—was pushed, pelted with gravel, and showered with insults by her classmates. Following the advice of her well-meaning parents, she tried to ignore her tormentors. What factors made Jodee susceptible to peer victimization? How can it be prevented?  Bullying and victimization is a classification of aggressive behavior directed at a specific individual in this case Jodee. A child is a victim when the child is repeatedly under criticism and harassment from other peers. This is a social phenomenon that unfolds within specific contexts and groups and this is an inexplicable behavior affecting many children across the world. In this regard, there is a clear description that links problems and the development of psychopathology. Scientific studies conclude that victimization of young kids is as a result in most instances of inconsistent, hostile, abusive parenting, high negative expressiveness, and high instances of family conflicts as well as violence at homes. Scientists express those situations of children such as Jodee in families that are unstable as a resultant cause for victimization by other peers. Ignoring the tormenters only worsens the situation and this means that the victimizers are more aware of the absence of Jodee and this makes them more apparent to her presence. The result is an even higher instance of victimization by the tormentors as well as peers. Although Jodee received positive advice from the parents, it is important to consider the influence of the parents. Negative parental in raising children denies the children such as Jodee the chance to work and improve on their self esteem. This provides a platform for the children to get much criticism for their manner of walk, dress, or perhaps look (Wendy, 2012, p.306). The ways to mitigate and counter the effects of victimization and bullying of small children includes encouraging children on the importance of garnering self esteem and the importance of self worth and respect. In addition it is important to address the school’s administration on the basis of issuing punishments applicable in the event of foregoing the rules against victimization. Parents need to educate their children on the right channels to follow as soon as they suffer threats from victimizers. 4. Explain why many affluent youths are at risk for poor adjustment. According to scientific research, it is common to find that a numerous number of affluent youths are at very high risks of poor adjustment. In understanding these statistics it is imperative to consider the definition of affluent youths. These are individuals of high profiled people within the society that are successful and they heed their children to toil tirelessly so as to claim the throne of the successful empire. In this context, it is entirely difficult for these children to adjust within the society as a result of the enormous pressure exerted by the parents to encourage hard work and innovation (Jose & Craig, 2012, p.35). Statistics also conclude that this bracket of teenagers is more susceptible to manifestation of elevated tendencies towards substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. Evidence traces these tendencies reflective on two diverse factors. These include excessive pressures from the parents as well as isolation that are both emotional and literal from the parents. It is inconsiderate for the parents to think that wealth automatically instills wisdom in the equanimity of parenting and spirit. These occurrences render these youths as susceptible to the dangers that surround them in the outside world and they are not conversant with ways to deal with and curb the misfortunes (Wendy, 2012, p.121). An instance is a child from a rich family not realizing the educational standards set by the parents. This leaves the parents disappointment and it is difficult for them to conceal this and they openly punish the child for not attaining their set standards. This emotional distance from the child renders them weak in spirit and they assume themselves useless. In turn, they look for alternative channels for dispersing their remorse. After this transition, it proves even more difficult to these youths to adjust in regard to the experiences they underwent as a result of the expressed disparities by the parents or other members of the society of higher class division (Wendy, 2012, p.130). References Jose B. A. & Craig W. L., (2012). Brooks/Cole Empowerment Series: Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 5th Ed: Cengage Learning. Jose B. A., Craig W. L. & Kathy L. L., (2009). Human Behavior in the Social Environment: A Multidimensional Perspective, 4th Ed: Cengage Learning. Wendy L., (2012). Truth and Dare: A Journey of Creating and Daring to Be... Who You Really Are!: Balboa Press. Read More