Peer Influence - GCSE Psychology Definition

Peer influence refers to the impact that people your own age have on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. This is common during school years when friends and classmates can affect decisions, such as the clothes you wear, the activities you join, or even how hard you work in school. Peer influence can be positive, encouraging you to try new things, or negative, pressuring you into making poor choices. In GCSE Psychology, you study peer influence to understand how it shapes your development and the way you interact with others. Understanding peer influence helps students recognise how they can be affected by the people around them and make more informed choices.