Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills

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?

Lesson Objectives In this lesson, you will learn to: • Develop the skills you need for making responsible decisions under pressure • Demonstrate the use of refusal skills and the avoidance of unsafe situations

Peer Pressure 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.

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.

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.

Peer Pressure Common Methods of Manipulation

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.

Make decisions that have the best possible effect on your well-being. It is important to remain firm and stay true to yourself. Respect yourself, stand by your values, and be assertive in your refusal. Your health and safety come first. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Things to Remember When Faced with Peer Pressure

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Assertive Refusal • 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.

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.

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Body Language and Assertive Refusal

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Passive and Aggressive 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. Passive Responses Aggressive Responses

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Assertive Communication • Learning and practicing assertive communication is the most effective way to deal with peer pressure. • Being assertive shows that you know strategies for solving interpersonal conflict without harming yourself and others.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q.The influence that people your age may have on you is called ______. • harassment • 2. manipulation • peer pressure • 4. assertive communication

Quick Review - Answer A.3. Peer pressure The influence that people your age may have on you is called peer pressure. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Q.Which of the following is NOT a common method of manipulation? • Mocking or teasing another person in mean or hurtful ways • Displaying genuine compassion and caring • Using “guilt trips” to get desired results • Using flattery or praise to influence another person

Quick Review - Answer A.2. Displaying genuine compassion and caring Common methods of manipulation do not include displaying compassion and caring. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q.Friends who have respect for your health and well-being will be less likely to pressure you into doing something that goes against your values. True False

Quick Review - Answer A.True. Friends who have respect for your health and well-being will be less likely to pressure you into doing something that goes against your values. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Q.Suppose a group of friends exhibit inconsiderate and disrespectful behavior, such as teasing another student in your school. In what ways can you show disapproval of this behavior? • Not participate in any of the disrespectful behavior, even as a spectator • Show compassion to the student who was teased • Treat everyone you encounter with respect • All of the above

Quick Review - Answer A.4. All of the above Ways to show disapproval of inconsiderate and disrespectful behavior such as teasing include not participating as a spectator in any disrespectful behavior; and showing compassion to the student who was teased; treating everyone you encounter with respect. Click Next to attempt another question.

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Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Passive and Aggressive Responses • Some people may feel more comfortable with an aggressive response. • This may involve verbal or physical force. • Most people react to aggressive behavior by avoiding the individual or by fighting back. Passive Responses Aggressive Responses

Peer Pressure 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. Peer pressure is the influence that people your age may have on you.

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. Harassment is persistently annoying others.

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. Manipulation is an indirect, dishonest way to control or influence others.

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Assertive Refusal • 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. Being assertive means standing up for your rights in a firm but positive way.

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. Refusal skills are communication strategies that can help you say no when you are urged to take part in behaviors that are unsafe, unhealthful, or that go against your values.

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Passive and Aggressive 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. Passive Responses Passive people have a tendency to give up, give in, or back down without standing up for rights and needs. Aggressive Responses

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Passive and Aggressive Responses • Some people may feel more comfortable with an aggressive response. • This may involve verbal or physical force. • Most people react to aggressive behavior by avoiding the individual or by fighting back. Passive Responses Aggressive people are overly forceful, pushy, hostile, or otherwise attacking in their approach. Aggressive Responses

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! The influence that people your age may have on you is called peer pressure. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Common methods of manipulation do not include displaying compassion and caring. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Friends who have respect for your health and well-being will be less likely to pressure you into doing something that goes against your values. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Ways to show disapproval of inconsiderate and disrespectful behavior such as teasing include all ofthe following: not participating as a spectator in any disrespectful behavior; and showing compassion to the student who was teased; treating everyone you encounter with respect. Click Next to attempt another question.

Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills