Peer influence may not be the most important factor affecting Adolescent behaviour.- article review.- Journal review

The 2002 article, "What will my parents think..." by Wyatt and Carlo, published in the Journal of Adolescent Research, investigated how adolescents' expectations of their parents' reactions to their behavior influence their own prosocial and antisocial actions. 

The central hypothesis was that when adolescents anticipate appropriate and consistent parental responses, they are more likely to internalize those values and act accordingly.

The article made a pointed observation with regards to antisocial behavior. The study found that adolescents who expected their parents to react appropriately to antisocial behavior (e.g., delinquency or aggression) reported lower levels of these behaviors themselves. The anticipation of a fair and reasonable parental response served as a deterrent.

Conversely, adolescents who expected their parents to react appropriately to prosocial behaviors reported higher levels of these positive actions. This suggests that the expectation of parental approval and positive feedback encourages adolescents to engage in helpful and constructive behaviors.

 

Parental reporting found underlined in the report. Interestingly, mothers' reports of their children's behavior also aligned with the adolescent's expectations. Mothers reported lower levels of delinquency and aggression for adolescents who expected appropriate reactions, corroborating the adolescents' self-reports.

The article highlights the importance of perceived parental reactions as a key factor in adolescent development. It emphasizes that it's not just the actual discipline or praise a parent gives, but the adolescent's mental model of what that reaction will be, that influences their behavior. This challenges the idea that adolescents are solely driven by peer influence, suggesting that parental expectations remain a significant force in shaping their actions.