Scenario:

John is an 18-year-old freshman at New York University. John was the starting quarterback at his high school in a small town in Indiana. He enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends. John has always been popular and done well in school and sports. Once he is comfortable in his surroundings he can be confident in what he is doing.

Donnie is an 18-year-old freshman from Chicago attending Iowa State. Donnie spends most of his time playing his guitar and writing music. In high school he had a few close friends but his attention was mainly focused on his studies and his music. He has little trouble expressing himself and enjoys doing so on stage while playing in his band. Donnie is determined to earn a degree and find a career in playing, writing, or producing music.

Response:

In 200 to 300 words provide an opinion on who would be more likely to be persuaded by peer pressures such as drinking, drug use, skipping class, and other irresponsible behavior in a new city. Then, provide your reasoning on why you chose either John or Donnie as more likely to conform to his new social situation.

This is an interesting question. We'll be glad to critique your answer.

In this scenario, it is more likely that John would be susceptible to peer pressures and conform to irresponsible behavior in a new city compared to Donnie. There are several reasons for this assumption.

Firstly, John's background as a popular and successful student-athlete in his small town may have fostered an environment where he was constantly surrounded by peers who looked up to him and sought his validation. This popularity could have made him more susceptible to social pressures, as he may have felt the need to maintain his status by conforming to the expectations of his peers.

Secondly, the transition from a small town in Indiana to New York City can be overwhelming for someone like John, who is used to being comfortable in his surroundings. Being in a completely new environment where he may not know many people or have a strong support system could potentially make him more vulnerable to seeking acceptance from new friends, even if it means indulging in irresponsible behavior.

On the other hand, Donnie's personality traits and interests make him less likely to conform to peer pressures. Donnie's focus on his studies and his music shows a strong sense of individuality and determination. His passion for music and his band indicate that he has already found an outlet for self-expression and a sense of belonging. This could provide him with the confidence and stability needed to resist negative influences. Additionally, Donnie's determination to pursue a career in music implies that he has clear goals and priorities, making it less likely for him to divert from his path due to peer pressures.

In conclusion, while both John and Donnie are entering a new city as freshmen, John's background, need for validation, and potential lack of support system make him more vulnerable to conforming to peer pressures involving drinking, drug use, skipping class, and other irresponsible behavior. Meanwhile, Donnie's individuality, strong sense of purpose, and support system from his band make him less likely to be persuaded by such negative influences.