Which of the following statements best describes peer pressure in the context of social psychology?

• A. Peer pressure describes the tendency for people to help others in emergency situations.
• B. Peer pressure is the process by which individuals develop their own personal values independently of others.
• C. Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a group of individuals on a person to encourage conformity to group norms or behaviors.
• D. Peer pressure is the psychological phenomenon where individuals perform better when alone than when in groups.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of peer pressure within social psychology, which involves the influence that a group exerts on an individual to conform to certain behaviors, attitudes, or values.
2. Step 2: Review each statement carefully and identify whether it aligns with the definition of peer pressure or describes a different psychological phenomenon.
3. Step 3: Recognize that the first statement describes helping behavior in emergencies, which relates to altruism or bystander effect, not peer pressure.
4. Step 4: Note that the second statement describes independent value development, which is the opposite of peer pressure since peer pressure involves social influence rather than independence.
5. Step 5: Confirm that the third statement correctly defines peer pressure as the influence by a group to encourage conformity to group norms or behaviors, making it the best description.