Discuss the influence of peer pressure on criminal behavior.

Peer pressure can have a significant impact on an individual's criminal behaviour.

Peer pressure is the influence that peers have on an individual's behaviour, attitudes, and beliefs. It can be positive or negative, but when it comes to criminal behaviour, it is often negative. Young people are particularly susceptible to peer pressure, as they seek acceptance and approval from their peers. If their peers are engaging in criminal behaviour, they may feel pressure to do the same to fit in.

Research has shown that peer pressure can lead to criminal behaviour. A study by Moffitt et al. (2002) found that adolescents who had delinquent friends were more likely to engage in criminal behaviour themselves. This is because they may feel pressure to conform to their friends' behaviour and may also view criminal behaviour as a way to gain respect and status within their peer group.

Furthermore, peer pressure can also lead to the escalation of criminal behaviour. For example, an individual who is pressured by their peers to engage in petty theft may eventually progress to more serious crimes, such as burglary or robbery, as they seek to impress their peers or gain a sense of power and control.

A-Level Psychology Tutor Summary: Peer pressure significantly influences whether young people engage in criminal activities. It's often seen when youths feel the need to fit in with friends who behave badly, pushing them towards similar actions. Studies show that having friends who commit crimes can make someone more likely to do the same, sometimes leading to even more severe illegal activities for approval or power.