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Perceiving college peers' alcohol consumption: temporal patterns and individual differences in overestimation
Helge Giese1, F Marijn Stok1, Britta Renner1
1a Department of Psychology , University of Konstanz , Konstanz , Germany.
Psychology & Health
|October 9, 2018
Summary
College students overestimate peer alcohol consumption, especially when social norms are unclear. Individual factors like high drinking and low self-control amplify this perception bias in social networks.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Network Analysis
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Social norms significantly influence individual behavior, particularly concerning alcohol consumption among young adults.
- Perception of peer alcohol consumption can deviate from actual consumption, leading to normative misperceptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate temporal patterns in alcohol norm overestimation within a college student social network.
- To examine individual differences, such as self-control and personal consumption levels, that moderate alcohol norm overestimation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study tracking 100 psychology freshmen over their first semester.
- Biweekly assessments of personal alcohol consumption, perceived peer consumption, and social network connections.
- Baseline assessment of trait self-control.
Main Results:
- Students consistently overestimated peers' alcohol consumption by an average of 1.22 drinks.
- Overestimation decreased during periods of high reported peer consumption.
- Higher personal alcohol consumption and lower self-control were associated with greater overestimation.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol norm overestimation persists despite changes in peer reports, indicating potential informational and motivational underpinnings.
- Individual differences play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of social norms around alcohol use.
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