Why does your teenager suddenly need a very specific pair of trainers, copy their friends’ opinions, or lose interest in family traditions they once loved? In this episode, Lucy and Jack unpack the psychology of peer influence and why fitting in matters so much during adolescence. They explore when teenagers are most susceptible to their friends, how peer influence can shape everything from clothes and risk-taking to anxiety and bullying, and why it can also be a powerful force for good. Plus, they explain what parents can do when they’re worried about the influence a friendship group is having on their child.


Get in touch at pod.comingofage@gmail.com


Further reading

  • Laursen, B. & Veenstra, R. (2021). “Toward understanding the functions of peer influence.” Journal of Research on Adolescence.
  • Steinberg, L. & Monahan, K. C. (2007). “Age differences in resistance to peer influence.” Developmental Psychology.
  • Salmivalli, C. (2014). “Participant roles in bullying: How can peer bystanders be utilized in interventions?” Theory Into Practice.
  • Chierchia, G., Piera Pi-Sunyer, B. & Blakemore, S-J. (2020). “Prosocial influence and opportunistic conformity in adolescents and young adults.” Psychological Science.
  • Foulkes, L. et al. (2018). “Age differences in the prosocial influence effect.” Developmental Science.

Rss
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