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Sometimes called the "reign of error", college students' perceptions of drinking norms have been shown to have a strong and predictive influence on their drinking behavior (Graham et al., 1991; Prentice & Miller, 1993). We are influenced more by what we think others do (the "perceived norm") than on their real actions (the "actual norm"). The gap between "perceived" and "actual" is a "misperception". Campuses that persistently communicate accurate social norms to students report experiencing significant decreases in high risk drinking behaviors. (NIAAA, p. 13. 2002). Misperceptions can be overestimations of problem behavior as well as underestimations of healthy behavior. The most common misperception is when a majority of individuals falsely assume that they are a minority, i.e. college students who drink moderately or not at all. Social norms messages inform them that their behavior is actually more normative and healthy than they think. Heavy drinkers often incorrectly think that most other students are heavy drinkers, a misperception that allows them to justify their behavior and harm associated with it (Agostinelli & Miller, 1994; Pollard, et al. 2000). |
PartySafe@Cal
is a program of University Health Services in collaboration with other campus
and community organizations.
The mission is to reduce harm associated with
drinking in the campus area.
To volunteer or for more information call 510-642-7202
or email hp@uhs.berkeley.edu.
