Perceiving college peers' alcohol consumption: temporal patterns and individual differences in overestimation. Issue 2 (1st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giese, Helge; Stok, F. Marijn; Renner, Britta
• Is Part Of: Psychology & health. Volume 34:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 147
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2019-02-01
• Subjects: Social network -- perception bias -- false-consensus -- misperception -- social norm -- alcohol; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Attitude to Health -- Periodicals; Public Opinion -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2018.1514118
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-0446

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study examines temporal patterns and individual differences of overestimation in alcohol norm perception within a social network. Design: Hundred psychology freshmen indicated biweekly during their first semester the drinks they consumed, the perceived average of their peers' consumption, and with whom they were acquainted. At baseline, trait self-control was assessed. Main outcome: The moderation of alcohol consumption overestimation by time and individual characteristics was explored. Results: Results show that students overestimated alcohol consumption of their acquainted peers by 1.22 drinks ( p < .001). For time periods at which peers reported high consumption, overestimation decreased. Additionally, individuals reporting high alcohol consumption ( b = −0.25, p < .001) and low self-control ( b = 0.27, p = .010) showed higher overestimation. Conclusions: Students overestimate the alcohol consumption of peers not fully accounting for changes in peer-reports. Furthermore, individual differences suggest informational and motivational processes underlying overestimation.