Learning effective refusal skills will help you deal with negative peer pressure

Learning effective refusal skills will help you deal with negative peer pressure.

peer pressure

harassment

manipulation

assertive

refusal skills

passive

aggressive

Peer Pressure

Peers can influence how you think, feel, and act.

During the teen years, it is common to experience peer pressure.

Peer Pressure

How you respond to peer pressure can impact your health and safety.

Peer pressureThe influence that people your age may have on you

Positive Peer Pressure

Peers can influence you in many positive ways.

Sometimes, positive peer pressure involves not participating in risky behaviors or activities.

Negative Peer Pressure

Peers sometimes pressure others to take part in behaviors or accept beliefs with negative consequences.


Negative peer pressure may lead some teens to engage in harassment.

HarassmentPersistently annoying others


Another way that some people exert negative peer pressure is through manipulation.

ManipulationAn indirect, dishonest way to control or influence other people

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

Practicing refusal skills will help you deal with negative peer pressure.

Throughout your life, you will experience instances in which peers try to influence you to behave in a particular way.


One way to resist negative peer pressure is to develop friendships with people who share your values and interests.

Supportive friends help you resist peer pressure.


Common Methods Of Manipulation

Making Threats

Blackmail

Mocking or Teasing

Promising violence or some other negative consequence if the person does not do what is asked

Threatening to reveal some embarrassing or damaging information if the person does not do what is asked

Making fun of another person in mean or hurtful ways


Common Methods Of Manipulation

“Guilt trips” Making a person feel guilty to get desired results

Bargaining Offering to make a deal to get what one wants

Flattery

Bribing

Using excessive praises to influence another person

Promising money or favors if the person does what is asked


In making decisions that involve potentially risky consequences, your health and safety come first.

Rehearsing assertive refusals will make it easier to say no when pressure situations arise.

Assertive Refusal

When you practice assertive communication, 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.

Refusal Skills

Effective refusal skills involve a three-step process:

Step 1: State Your Position.

Step 2: Suggest

Alternatives.

Step 3: Stand Your

Ground.

Refusal Skills

Step 1: State Your Position.

State your position simply and firmly.

Combine your words with nonverbal messages.

Give an honest reason for your response.

Refusal Skills

Step 2: Suggest Alternatives.

By offering an alternative, you create an opportunity to spend time with your friend in a way that makes you comfortable.

Your suggestion is most effective if it takes you away from the dangerous or unpleasant situation.

Refusal Skills

Step 3: Stand Your Ground.

Make it clear that you mean what you said.

Use strong body language and maintain eye contact, but do not touch the other person or become physical in any way.

If this doesn’t work, remove yourself from the situation.

Refusal Skills

Shaking your head is one way to communicate no.

Raising your hands in a “Stop” or “No way” signal tells others that you are not interested.

If the other person continues to pressure you, you can walk away from the situation.

Passive and Aggressive Responses

Passive communicators are unwilling or unable to express their thoughts and feelings in a direct or firm manner.

Being passive may cause others to view them as pushovers who aren’t worthy of respect.


Aggressive responses are overly forceful, pushy, or hostile.

Aggressive responses can result in emotional or physical harm to both parties.


Practicing assertive communication is the most effective way to deal with peer pressure.

Being assertive shows that you will stand up for your rights, beliefs, and needs. It shows that you respect yourself and those around you.

After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary

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

1. What is peer pressure?


2. Identify two examples of manipulation.

Answers will vary. Examples include making threats, blackmail, and teasing.


3. How might a friend help you resist negative peer pressure?

Friends who have respect for your health and well-being will be less likely to pressure you. They will also be supportive.

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Learning effective refusal skills will help you deal with negative peer pressure