What Causes Peer Pressure From Rules To The Ridiculous

What Causes Peer Pressurefrom Rules To The Ridiculousunderstanding Au

What causes peer pressure? From Rules to the Ridiculous understanding audience when considering matters of correctness, style, and choice What would you do if the person you were talking to looked like this? 9.psd In oral communication, we have the benefit of immediate feedback from our audience. A smile… A nod… A furrowed brow… We can make adjustments on the fly. 12.psd 19.psd 18.psd 10.psd 3.psd When we speak to people we are constantly assessing their reactions. We can read their non-verbal cues—their facial expressions, body language, and so forth. Sometimes they will even stop us to tell us what they think about what we are saying, or if they don’t understand. This feedback allows us to make adjustments. But how does this work in writing? 17.psd 50.psd It’s easy to lose sight of our audience when writing… After all, isn’t writing a lone activity? Something done in quiet solitude? You know the image—the writer alone in his cabin in the woods where no one else matters. Is this an accurate view of writing? When talking about writing… There’s no right or wrong writing BUT… There is writing that is effective and writing that is not so effective Who decides if your writing is effective? Writing is about making choices… How do you know what choices to make as a writer? Every choice you make as a writer should be based on your absolute understanding of just two things… 1. AUDIENCE 2. PURPOSE But if our audience is NOT sitting in front of us as we write, how can we know them and adjust to their needs? Audience Analysis As writers, we need to make a deliberate effort to understand our audience We need to do some analysis by asking questions about our audience And then keep the resulting image of who our audience is foremost in our minds as we make our choices Know your audience, know how you want to affect your audience (i.e., know your purpose), and then make choices PRACTICE: recognizing the target audience Choose the right audience… Dear Sir, I am sorry to bother you with this, but I just wanted to verify with you an e-mail that I received from Mr. Johnson yesterday afternoon… Your co-worker The CEO Your cousin in Cleveland Choose the right audience… Mike, Johnson sent this to me yesterday afternoon and I have no idea what he is talking about. Does it make sense to you… Your co-worker The CEO Your cousin in Cleveland Choose the right audience… Hey man, Wonder if you can help me out. My boss sent this to me yesterday afternoon and I just can’t figure out what he means. What’s your take on it… Your co-worker The CEO Your cousin in Cleveland So what about all the rules of English? Any fool can make a rule and every fool will mind it. –HENRY DAVID THOREAU Choices versus Obedience In some matters of language we have no choice: “up the street” vs. “the street up” But for other matters choice is at the forefront of a good writer’s mind. Which is clearest and most direct? There was a lack of evidence in support for their claim. Their claim suffered from a lack of evidence in its support. They could not support their claim because they lacked evidence. Choice vs. Obedience Sometimes what is choice and what is not is contested… Can I split an infinitive? Can I start a sentence with and? Can I end a sentence with up? The fact of the matter… We must write English correctly, but we also must realize that some points of “correctness” are less important than we think (or not important at all). “Correct” writing is not necessarily clear, direct, or effective. Unlike matters of style, correctness seems not to offer choices but to require obedience. Three kinds of rules Rules that govern the fundamental structure of English the book, not book the Rules that define standard written form you were, not you was I don’t know anything, not I don’t know nothing Rules invented by grammarians about trivial points of usage Don’t split infinitives, as in to quickly leave. Don’t use than after different, use from. Don’t use between with three or more. Observing rules thoughtfully The worst (i.e., safest) case policy Follow all the rules all the time because somewhere sometime, some reader might criticize you for something. But if you follow all the rules all the time you surrender a measure of stylistic choice. A more thoughtful (i.e., riskier) approach The alternative to blind obedience is selective observance As always, be mindful of your audience. How conservative are they? What will they accept or not accept? Put clarity and directness before “correctness.” Observing rules thoughtfully If vast numbers of careful writers choose to ignore a rule and the vast majority of educated, careful readers don’t notice, then the deviation from the rule can be neither an error in good grammar nor a violation of “good” usage. –JOSEPH WILLIAMS Writing by design… Writing is about choices Writing is architecture Writing is more than just words it is about design, about conscious choices that change the way people experience meaning Writing is power The secret of style Have something to say, and say it as clearly as you can. That is the only secret of style. –MATTHEM ARNOLD Understanding style It is good to write clearly, and anyone can. Choice is at the heart of clear writing. Before our readers can accept our claims they have to understand them. Why do so many have a style that instead of revealing ideas, hides them? (Read from Williams 4~5) Some causes of unclear writing Hiding behind language To plump ideas and to mask their absence, hoping to impress those who confuse difficulty with substance Bad memories of HS grammar (Williams 10) Temporary aphasia— a loss of the ability to use or understand language when learning to write or think in a new academic or professional area Principles of style can help Style takes us beyond rules No one can teach good writing by rule… Help is in a few reliable principles, not in inviolate rules Good style can help us write more clearly and, therefore, see and feel and think more clearly PRACTICE: making choices as you write Guess the audience… your family priest best friend 4-year old sister neighborhood pimp someone who doesn’t speak English very well the chief of police someone you’re talking to at a bar If you wish to persuade me, you must think my thoughts, feel my feelings, and speak my words. –MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Paper For Above instruction

Peer pressure is a powerful social influence that affects individuals' behaviors and decisions, often compelling conformity to group norms, even when these norms seem unreasonable or 'ridiculous.' The roots of peer pressure lie deeply in human social nature; humans are inherently social beings who seek acceptance and approval from their peers. This innate desire to belong creates a powerful motivation to conform, often overriding personal judgment and values. As social creatures, individuals tend to adapt their behaviors to align with the expectations of their peer groups to secure social acceptance and avoid rejection.

From rules to the ridiculous, peer pressure can lead individuals to accept behaviors or attitudes that are irrational or absurd, simply to maintain social harmony. For example, adolescents may participate in risky behaviors, such as substance use or reckless activities, because their peers are engaging in similar actions. The development of peer pressure involves a complex interplay of social, psychological, and environmental factors. Peer groups often establish norms that are followed for the sake of fitting in, even when those norms contradict personal beliefs or societal laws. This phenomenon illustrates how peer pressure can distort perceptions of what is acceptable or appropriate, sometimes pushing individuals towards the 'ridiculous.'

Understanding the mechanisms behind peer pressure involves examining the psychological needs for acceptance and self-esteem. People are often motivated by the desire to be liked and to avoid social rejection, which can lead them to adopt behaviors they might usually avoid. Social influence theories, such as conformity and compliance, shed light on how individuals adapt to group expectations. Conformity, for example, involves changing one's attitudes or behaviors to align with group standards, often driven by the fear of social exclusion.

Moreover, peer pressure is reinforced by non-verbal social cues, such as facial expressions and body language, which communicate approval or disapproval. These cues serve as immediate feedback, shaping ongoing behavior. In oral communication, this feedback helps speakers adjust their messages to suit their listeners' reactions. In written communication, the absence of real-time feedback makes understanding audience perceptions more challenging, but the underlying principles of audience analysis remain critical in effective writing.

In the context of youth and adolescent development, peer pressure can significantly influence decision-making processes, sometimes leading to engagement in 'ridiculous' or dangerous activities. For instance, teenagers might partake in bullying, vandalism, or substance abuse to gain peer approval. This underscores the importance of fostering self-awareness and critical thinking skills to resist negative peer influences. Educational programs aimed at increasing awareness about the effects of peer pressure can empower individuals to make independent, well-informed choices.

It is essential to recognize that peer pressure is not inherently negative; it can also promote positive behaviors, such as academic engagement, participation in sports, and community service. The key is understanding how peer influence operates and developing resilience against negative pressures while encouraging positive peer interactions. Building confidence, self-esteem, and social skills helps individuals resist undue peer influence and maintain personal integrity.

References

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