Aviation Human Factors looks at Social Psychology - Peer Pressure

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What is Peer Pressure?

Peer pressure is the pressure we feel to do what our group or peers expect of us. Peer pressure is closely linked to organizational norms and culture.

We consider peers as people who are part of our own social group, so the term "peer pressure" means the influence that peers can have on each other. The term "peer pressure" is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviours, rather a degree of pressure to conform to the "group norms".

Peer Pressure in the Maintenance Environment 

There are many pressures brought to bear on the individual mechanic within the working environment of aircraft maintenance, including of course the potential of personal pressures from colleagues. 

Peer pressure is the actual or perceived pressure which an individual may feel, to better conform to what they perceive that their peers or colleagues expect. 

An individual may feel that there is pressure (In fact this can be real or perceived/imagined) to take a short cut in order to get an aircraft out by a certain time.

This pressure may actually include the belief that their colleagues would also take the same action under similar circumstances.

How does Peer Pressure affect the Maintenance Staff? 

Whilst there may not actually be specific pressure from management to take a short cut, there can still be significant but nevertheless a subtle pressure from peers. 

Such a comment would in fact encourage you to deviate from the normal “required” behaviour and for sure would constitute peer pressure.

If we allow our own opinions, attitudes, actions or to be negatively impacted of even affected by our peer group’s prevailing opinions, attitudes, actions and perceptions.

Peer pressure is the pressure we feel to do what our group or peers expect of us. Peer pressure is closely linked to organizational norms and culture.

Peer Pressure Drivers

The extent of the “perceived” peer pressure, depends on a number of factors: 

· Culture consider the different willingness to conform or challenge
· Gender (men tend to conform less than women)
· Self-esteem (a person with low self esteem is likely to succumb to peer pressure with a lower level of challenge)
· Familiarity of the subject matter (a person is more likely to succumb to the majority view if they know less about the subject matter)
· The expertise of the group members (if the individual respects the group or perceives them to be very knowledgeable he or she will be more likely to conform to their views)

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