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Peer Pressure Inventory
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About Peer Pressure Inventory
Scale Name
Peer Pressure Inventory
Author Details
B. Bradford Brown and Donna Rae Clasen (1985)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Peer Pressure Inventory (PPI), developed by B. Bradford Brown and Donna Rae Clasen in 1985, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure adolescents’ perceptions of peer pressure across various domains of behavior. Targeting adolescents (typically ages 12–18), the PPI assesses the extent to which individuals feel pressured by peers to engage in specific behaviors, both positive (e.g., academic achievement, prosocial actions) and negative (e.g., misconduct, substance use). It aligns with social influence theories, emphasizing the role of peer interactions in shaping adolescent behavior (Brown, 1982; Brown et al., 1986).
The PPI consists of 32 items covering six domains: Peer Popularity, School Involvement, Family Involvement, Peer Conformity, Misconduct, and Involvement with Friends. Respondents rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale (-2 = “strong pressure not to do it,” 0 = “no pressure,” +2 = “strong pressure to do it”), indicating the direction and intensity of perceived peer pressure. Scores are summed within each domain, with higher positive scores indicating pressure to engage in the behavior and negative scores indicating pressure to avoid it. Total scores can be analyzed for overall peer influence. Validated in adolescent samples (e.g., U.S. high school students), the PPI is used to study peer influence on decision-making, risk behaviors, and social adjustment.
Psychologists, educators, and developmental researchers use the PPI to assess peer influence, inform interventions for at-risk youth, and evaluate social dynamics in school settings. Its multi-domain structure and focus on both positive and negative pressures are strengths, but its reliance on self-reports may introduce bias, and cultural adaptations may require revalidation
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the PPI from authorized sources, such as Brown and Clasen’s original publication (Brown et al., 1986) or institutional repositories, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses how peers influence their behaviors, emphasizing anonymity and non-judgmental responses.
- Provide instructions, asking respondents to rate the degree of peer pressure felt for each behavior on the 5-point scale, based on recent experiences.
- Approximate time for completion is 10-15 minutes for the 32-item scale.
- Administer in school, community, or research settings, using paper, digital, or interview formats, ensuring a private environment. Adolescent-friendly language and settings are critical.
Reliability and Validity
The PPI has solid psychometric properties, as reported in Brown et al. (1986). Internal consistency is moderate to high across domains (Cronbach’s α ≈ 0.70–0.85), reflecting reliable item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is moderate (r ≈ 0.60–0.75 over weeks), indicating stability in perceived peer pressure.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as social conformity (r ≈ 0.50–0.70) and risk behavior engagement (r ≈ 0.40–0.60). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like academic aptitude (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict adolescent behaviors, such as delinquency or academic performance, in longitudinal studies. Construct validity is supported by its alignment with peer influence theories and its ability to differentiate positive and negative pressures across domains. For enhanced depth, it can be paired with scales like the Adolescent Socialization Scale or delinquency inventories.
Available Versions
Multiple-Items
Reference
Brown, B. B., Clasen, D. R., & Eicher, S. A. (1986). Perceptions of peer pressure, peer conformity dispositions, and self-reported behavior among adolescents. Developmental psychology, 22(4), 521.
Brown, B. B. (1982). The extent and effects of peer pressure among high school students: A retrospective analysis. Journal of youth and adolescence, 11(2), 121-133.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Peer Pressure Inventory measure?
It measures adolescents’ perceptions of peer pressure across positive and negative behaviors.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, educators, and developmental researchers studying adolescents.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes 10-15 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets adolescents (ages 12–18), primarily validated in Western contexts.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, its psychometrics support interventions for peer-influenced behaviors.
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