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True or False: Most adolescents' friends are "bad influences."
a, true
b. false

User AurelienC
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The statement is false; while adolescents spend a lot of time with friends, they often report that parents and other caring adults have the greatest influence on their behavior, not peers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that most adolescents' friends are "bad influences" is false. Adolescents often spend a significant amount of time with peers and this social interaction is a normal part of their development. While some friends might sometimes engage in risky behaviors, it is a myth that teens are predominantly influenced by negative peer pressure. In fact, teenagers report that parents and other caring adults are the greatest influences on their behavior, particularly in areas such as sexual conduct. Adolescents may experience various social agents influencing their decisions, but the types of dilemmas greatly affect whom they are more likely to listen to. For example, in moral and ethical questions, teens tend to align with their parents' ideologies, whereas, in the domain of social interactions and experiences, they may lean more towards peer influence.

User Manjit Kumar
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