Abstract

The relationship between associating with (non)deviant peers and one’s own delinquent tendencies is often attributed to the motivation for positive reinforcement and status attainment. Guided by prospect theory and loss aversion, we assert that there is an alternative mechanism through which individuals conform to peer influence – to prevent loss of status for not conforming to the peer group. We surveyed over 1,200 college students at multiple universities across the United States and randomly provided them with hypothetical scenarios related to fighting, driving drunk, and using marijuana where the social consequences were framed as either gains or losses in status. Respondents reported a greater willingness to engage in both deviance and non-deviance when the social consequences were framed as status losses compared to status gains. Our findings are supportive of loss aversion and we advocate for further research that merges individual decision making and peer influence.

摘要

与（非）离经叛道的同伴交往与自己的犯罪倾向之间的关系通常归因于积极强化和地位获得的动机。在前景理论和损失厌恶的指导下，我们断言，有一种替代机制可以使个人顺从同伴影响——防止因不顺从同伴群体而失去地位。我们对美国多所大学的 1,200 多名大学生进行了调查，并随机向他们提供了与打架、醉酒驾驶和吸食大麻相关的假设场景，其中社会后果被描述为地位的获得或损失。受访者报告说，当社会后果被视为地位损失而不是地位获得时，他们更愿意参与越轨和不越轨行为。