Peer Dynamics Project
Relationships with friends and peers play a pivotal role in shaping our behavior and decisions, whether positive or negative. Research consistently shows that these social bonds exert a powerful influence on individual choices, especially during adolescence and early adulthood. Peers provide information, reinforcement, and emotional support, that guide individuals toward healthy habits or, conversely, toward risk-taking and antisocial behaviors.
However, the study of friendship dynamics is rarely straightforward. Unlike in a television series where behaviors are fully observable, real-life interactions are nuanced and challenging to capture as they unfold, with key influences often occurring outside measurable settings. Using advanced technologies such as virtual reality, this project creates realistic, decision-critical environments to capture the precise moments of peer influence and reveal individuals' response strategies to their peers. This immersive approach provides deeper insights into peer-driven decision-making processes.
