decâ²iÂ·maâ²tion n. Usage Note: Decimate originally referred to the killing of every tenth person, a punishment used in the Roman army for mutinous legions. Today this meaning is commonly extended to include the killing of any large proportion of a population.
Why Do People Give in to Peer Pressure? Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids might make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. Others go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing.
During NIDAâs most recent Drug Facts Chat Day,âKidâ from Totino-Grace High School in Minnesota, asked: âWhy is peer pressure such a huge factor in teensâ temptations [to experiment with] drugs and alcohol?â. Peer pressure and the brain. Peer pressure can influence teens' choices about a lot of things. New research shows that, when making a decision, teens think about both the risks and rewards of their actions and behaviorsâbut, unlike adults, teens are more likely to ignore the risk in favor of the reward.