Indirect peer pressure refers to the influence that individuals feel from their peers without direct communication or explicit expectation. This type of pressure often arises from observing the behaviors, attitudes, or norms of a group and feeling compelled to conform, even if there is no direct request or demand from others.
Example:
Imagine a teenager at school who notices that most of their friends are wearing a particular brand of clothing and frequently discussing the latest trends. Although no one directly tells the teenager to buy that brand or wear those clothes, the social environment and the desire to fit in lead them to feel that they should adopt similar fashion choices to gain acceptance within the group. In this case, the indirect peer pressure is exerted by the collective behavior and unspoken standards of the group, influencing individual choices without verbal prompts.