CORRELATES OF CONFORMITY IN THE CONSUMPTION OF ILLICIT DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

The results of four studies regarding conformity in illicit drug and alcohol consumption among high school and college students are reported. Correlational evidence regarding the relationships between nine hypothesized antecedents of compliance and a measure of conformity intentions is provided through a series of median split comparison tests and estimates of bivariate and multivariate correlations. The results reveal that perceptions of the group (e.g., perceived group attractiveness), attributions about reasons for the group's behavior, and external influences (e.g., self-reports of family and friend use) are related to compliance as predicted. Overall, the results provide insight into factors associated with conformity in the illicit consumption of alcohol and drugs and the conditions under which normative pressures are likely to be operative.