Exercise Conformity Response (Appendix E)

John is an 18-year-old freshman at New York University. John was the starting quarterback at his high school in a small town in Indiana. He enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends. John has always been popular and done well in school and sports. Once he is comfortable in his surroundings he can be confident in what he is doing.

Donnie is an 18-year-old freshman from Chicago attending Iowa State. Donnie spends most of his time playing his guitar and writing music. In high school he had a few close friends but his attention was mainly focused on his studies and his music. He has little trouble expressing himself and enjoys doing so on stage while playing in his band. Donnie is determined to earn a degree and find a career in playing, writing, or producing music.

Response:

In 200 to 300 words provide an opinion on who would be more likely to be persuaded by peer pressures such as drinking, drug use, skipping class, and other irresponsible behavior in a new city. Then, provide your reasoning on why you chose either John or Donnie as more likely to conform to his new social situation. Reference the factors that influence persuasion and conformity discussed in your text.

Either one are really accessible to caving into peer pressures such as drinking, drug use, skipping class, and other irresponsible behavior in a new city.  You would think that Donnie would be the more responsible one of the two because he is (what would seem as) more determined. John, who is a football player, would be the most likely candidate out of the two, though. Even though it may be a stereotype, John is a football player, and he’s part of the popular crowd. The popular crowds in college consist of the fraternities and sororities, which also are known for their partying.   If John is a typical “jock”, then I would say he is probably in one of these fraternities, and he is more likely to cave then Donnie, who would probably be in general housing, and have a quieter dorm. Donnie has a goal and is determined so in the end he is more likely to with-hold on peer pressure, unlike John, who would probably cave into peer pressure way faster. Just because Donnie is in a quieter dorm does not automatically mean he would be less likely to fall into peer pressure, I just think that fraternity and sorority houses are more of a “party zone” then the regular housing. It seems as if regular housing would be a lot quieter. I’ll bet that Donnie would value his schoolwork more because he does have a goal and is determined to accomplish it. That alone would deter the falling to peer pressures.