... that they see conformity as more important than what they think is right. This, very importantly, is very easily translated into everyday social situations, mostly affecting children, and especially teenagers. Once such external factors as drugs, alcohol, smoking, music and sex are introduced, it is easy for individuals to come under great pressure. One very common factor, rather unfortunately so, is drugs. The scenario could be a fifteen year old boy who is feeling pressure from friends to smoke cannabis. The boy's feelings would include fear of disapproval from his friends, against his fears of the actual drug-taking. If he was to yield to the group pressure this would be known as compliance, where he is going along with what the group is doing for social approval. This is an example of a normative influence. One possible outcome is that the boy, once trying cannabis for the first time, realises that ...

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