Final answer:
Peer pressure typically peaks at age 14 during early adolescence, driven by the desire to fit in and the influence of peers becoming stronger than that of family.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peer pressure tends to peak during the early teenage years, around the age of 14. During this time, adolescents are highly influenced by their peers as they seek to fit in and establish their independence. The significant physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty contribute to this heightened susceptibility to peer influence. According to research, peer pressure can be a critical factor in decision-making for adolescents, often more so than parental guidance in certain types of dilemmas due to the collective action problems that are less severe in the small groups they form.
Moreover, the question of socialization agents highlights the importance of family as typically the earliest agent of socialization, which eventually transitions to peers during adolescence, reflecting the shift in influence as children grow. Understanding these developmental stages, including when peer pressure is most potent, can help provide context for the behaviors and decisions made by adolescents.