Which of the following is the most common psychological reason people give in to negative peer pressure?

• A. They are always motivated by moral reasoning.
• B. They want to be accepted and avoid social rejection.
• C. They have a strong sense of personal identity.
• D. They are unaffected by the opinions of others.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of peer pressure, which refers to the influence exerted by a peer group encouraging individuals to change their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to group norms.
2. Recognize that negative peer pressure involves being influenced to engage in behaviors that are harmful or against one's own values.
3. Consider psychological motivations behind why people might give in to negative peer pressure, such as the desire for social acceptance and fear of rejection.
4. Evaluate each option by relating it to common psychological theories, such as the need for belongingness and social identity theory, which emphasize the importance of acceptance in social groups.
5. Conclude that the most common psychological reason people give in to negative peer pressure is the desire to be accepted and avoid social rejection, as this aligns with fundamental human social needs.