Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (59-64). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--Bowling Green State University, 2006. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 72 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Bibliography: leaves 112-123.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-95) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-105) Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-104).

Developments in technology have changed the way we do everything; advanced our research capabilities, enhanced our communication abilities and speeds, even the way people commit crimes. It provides perpetrators with a new way to commit traditional crimes as well as new forms of crime. One of the many opportunities involved with increased communication devices is known as sexting. Adolescent sexting has received national and local attention due to possible long-term implications such as registering as a sex offender and even suicide. Sexting, which is considered an antisocial behavior among adolescents, has progressively become implicated in peer pressure as well. Peer pressure causes individuals to commit cruel acts or crimes in which they normally would not do because they are forced, or feel obligated to do so, by their peers. Further study into peer pressure and sexting is needed to discover if peer pressure and opportunity are the reasons why adolescents engage in sexting. To discover this, I surveyed college undergraduate students to determine the causes behind their sexting habits in high school.

Although youth aged 12-17 years old constitute a growing segment of Facebook users, the impact social networking websites may have on their psyche has not been well-studied. Additionally, researchers have not investigated peer pressure as a mediator between individuals overall attachment to Facebook and the desire to be involved in a romantic relationship among teens or adults. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the connection between Facebook attachment and perceived peer pressure, specifically with regard to romantic relationships in individuals aged 14-17 years. Impression management theory served as the theoretical framework. A survey design was used to examine whether study variables (Facebook attachment, perceived peer pressure, and romantic relationship desires) were correlated with one another and whether Facebook attachment served as a mediating variable. Participants (N = 42) completed online surveys comprised of three established surveys that measure levels of perceived peer pressure, interest in romantic relationships, and overall Facebook attachment. Data were examined using correlational analysis. No significant correlations were found between any study variables. Because of the lack of statistical significance, no decisive conclusions can be rendered. Recommendations for future research include the use of different recruitment methods and the updating of assent and consent regulations for psychological research involving minors. The study provides a starting point for future researchers to evaluate the role of social media in adolescent development. Implications for positive social change include a greater awareness of the role of social media in the psychological development of young teens.

In most countries marijuana is recognized as an illegal drug. Yet, many young individuals in contemporary societies have used the drug in some shape or form. It often occurs in the company of peers. Realizing that marijuana-use is illegal in Sweden, what motives do young adults in Sweden have to use marijuana and how can we understand their choices to smoke?The aim of this study is to conclude and develop further understanding on marijuana use by young adults. Furthermore, we aim to examine factors such as peer-pressure and expectations and their impact on a young adult's marijuana-use. This study also attempts to clarify the social processes and norms in which the individuals may or may not base their identity and behavior on. This is done by applying Goffman’s theoretical framework combined with Howard Becker’s theories regarding deviant behavior and marijuana use and social control.The study is based on eight semi-structured interviews with male participants in the ages ranging from 21-27, which are defined as young adults. They all originate from similar demographic locations in southern Sweden. The initial attempt of marijuana use most often occurs alongside friends, whilst continued use most frequently emerges as a result of peer-pressure by group members. The ability to recognize peer-pressure is a social competence which requires an individual to realise the social mechanics and dynamics of a group. This in turn suggests that the individuals adapt to the expectations that reside within a deviant group. The main conclusion suggests that young adults use marijuana, to a certain extent, because of personal motives. However, these motives appear to stem from the individual’s ability to create their identity in order to adapt to the norms found in their adhering group.

Body image or satisfaction with physical appearance has been established as an important aspect of self-worth and mental health across the life span. It is related to self-esteem, sexuality, family relationships and identity. Given the fact that physical appearance is a multifaceted structural concept that depends, not only on inner-biological, but also a psychological and socio-cultural components, the purpose of this study was to examine variables that are related to and influenced by satisfaction with physical appearance. Body mass index (BMI), eating disturbances, attachment (to mother, to father and to peers), global self-worth, parental control, peer influence and pressure regarding eating and media influence were examined in relation satisfaction with physical appearance. College students in a large southeastern university (195 males and 340 females) completed two subscales of Harter's Self-Perception Scale for College Students. Each subject self-reported his/her weight and height and these were used calculate weight/height ratio known as the body mass index. Participants also reported on attachment (to mother, to father and to peers) using the Inventory of Parent and Peer attachment scales (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987), Peer Influence Scale (Mukai, 1993) and the Media Influence scale which was developed for this project. Differences between male and female perceptions of physical appearance in relationship to BMI were found: Among women, higher BMIs were associated with lower scores on perceptions of physical appearance (r = -. 429, p £ .001), whereas for males BMIs were not related to satisfaction with physical appearance. For both males and females, satisfaction with physical appearance was significantly and negatively (r = -.258, p £ .01) associated with media influence. Media influence was related to higher scores on the EAT 26 scale that measured disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors (r = .307, p £ .01). Females were affected by this association more so than were males. However, males appeared to not to be immune to such influence. Peer influence and peer pressure was another influential factor for both gender groups and it was associated with high eating disturbance scores (r = .369, p £ .01 for peer influence, and r = .413, p £ .01 for peer pressure). Attachment variables were associated with satisfaction of physical appearance and global self-worth in a different manner for adolescent females and males. For males, satisfaction with physical appearance was positively related to attachment to mother (r = .135, p £ .05) and father (r = .170, p £ .05) and negatively associated with maternal control (r = -. 246, p £ . 001). For females, only attachment to mother (r = .082, p £ .05) was positively associated satisfaction with physical appearance. While there were many significant bivariate correlational findings, there were few significant coefficients in a regression analyses, presumably because of the high intercorrelations between the predictor variables. For females, BMI was the best predictor of satisfaction with physical appearance, whereas for males, the feeling of global self-worth was the strongest variable in predicting satisfaction with physical appearance. Satisfaction with physical appearance is an essential part of global self-worth and is constructed differently by males and females. For females, high BMI was negatively related to satisfaction with physical appearance as well as global self-worth. On the other hand, for males neither global self-worth nor perceptions of physical appearance were affected by high BMIs. More research is needed to understand the complexity of influences on satisfaction with physical appearance as well as construction of global self-worth and its domains for both sexes. / Ph. D.