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Yeates, Lauren (2025) The Effects of Social Media on Implicit Peer Pressure and Risk-Taking. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.
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Abstract
Background: Peer pressure is defined as the influence exerted by a peer group on individuals to conform to the norms of the group. Peer pressure can be explicit (direct) or implicit (indirect). Peer pressure is linked to an increase in risk-taking behaviours with males, adolescents and young adults reporting the highest levels of susceptibility. The aim of this study is to assess to what extent does social media influence implicit peer pressure and risk-taking as well as assessing age and gender differences within an Irish context.
Method: The study consisted of 113 participants (Males: n = 34, Females: n = 77) between the ages of 18 and 72 (M = 31.24, SD = 12.94) and a correlational, cross-sectional study design. The Social Media Intensity Scale was used to assess social media intensity, the Online Peer Pressure Scale was used to assess online implicit peer pressure and risk-taking and a demographic questionnaire was used to measure age, gender and average social media hours.
Results: The results indicate there is a small correlation between social media intensity and implicit peer pressure and risk-taking. Age is a statistically significant predictor for implicit peer pressure and risk-taking (β = -.37, p <.001).
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that implicit peer pressure is facilitated by social media on some level. The findings have practical implications for preventing offline risk-taking.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Undergraduate) |
|---|---|
| Supervisors: | Name Email Coughlan, Barry UNSPECIFIED |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Social Media; Implicit Peer Pressure; Risk-Taking; Age; Gender |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources > ZA4150 Computer Network Resources > The Internet > World Wide Web > Websites > Online social networks T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering > Telecommunications > The Internet > World Wide Web > Websites > Online social networks |
| Divisions: | School of Business (- 2025) > BA (Honours) in Psychology |
| Depositing User: | Ciara O'Brien |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Nov 2025 15:39 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Nov 2025 15:39 |
| URI: | https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/8923 |
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