delimiter
The goal of this activity is for students to demonstrate (through role play) an understanding of how choices and behaviours can affect themselves and others in respect to peer pressure.
Materials Needed:
Chairs; Scenario sheets (found at the bottom of attached file)
Instructional Procedures:
Note: This activity can be done as a class, in small groups, or in partners.
As an opening point for discussion, ask students:
What do you think of when you hear the term “peer pressure”?
How much do you think peer pressure affects people’s behavior?
Do you think it’s ever possible for peer pressure to have a positive impact? Each round of the activity requires two students to participate: Student A will stand and Student B will sit in a chair.
Give students a scenario from the examples provided on the next page.
Student A must try to persuade Student B to give up the chair within the context of the scenario.
Seated students must try to stay in their chairs as long as possible, but can only do so for as long as they can answer Student A’s attempts at persuasion with a reasonable excuse.
The same excuse cannot be used more than once, and the teacher may at any point evict a student from the seat if the student fails to adequately defend their right to it.
Continue the activity for several rounds, using different scenarios and rotating the students involved.
You may try adding variables, such as having more than one student at a time trying to convince Student B to give up the chair.
As a consolidation discussion, ask students:
How did it feel to have a turn in the chair?
Was it more difficult to defend your right to stay seated in some cases than in others? Why?
What are some of the ways people might influence someone other than directly asking them to do what they want?
What are some ways that you can influence people in a positive manner?