Scenario:
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.
I think that John would be the more likely of them two to be persuaded by peer pressures and irresponsible behavior. Naturally, when coming into a new environment it takes time to adjust, get used to new routines and find friends. Coming from a small town like John, as opposed to Donnie who comes from a city like Chicago, he might be more inclined to "prove himself" and want to come across as being more experienced than he is by turning to drinking, drug use and skipping classes. Also, a person who is used to "being popular" is generally more inclined to seek approvement externally than a person who has a more concrete personal goals. Again, the change from a small town in Indiana seems to be greater than a transition from Chicago to Iowa State as is the case for Donnie.
Donnie might have trouble expressing himself, but he is determined to earn a degree in playing, writing or producing music. This tells us that he is less affected by external or environmental factors. Thus, Donnie's risk of conformity to "fit in" seems less of a factor than for John who might be persuaded to engage in high risk-behaviors to seek approval. Also, Donnie might be inclined to keep his few close friends and by this less motivated to seek approval by new ones; again, this seems to be an important factor in staying focused on studies no matter change of school.
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