Social Drinking Simulation: Effects Of Social Pressure With Alcohol

The drinking simulation examined the effects of social pressure with alcohol. Students were able to experience different emotions, adjust to new social groups, and apply lessons to their own lives. Understanding from a point of view that all students are college students, we are more likely to get into situations of drugs, sex, and alcohol. The college campus and dorms along with a group of people who are around the same age, predicts our actions in college. In this simulation, Dr. Petranek and his TA simulated as bartenders, two students simulated as designated drivers, and the rest of the class simulated as the drinkers. The goal was to gain as many chips (alcohol) until the game is over. Drinkers had the option to stop after a certain amount
I felt socially pressured by my other peers because I don’t drink in real life. I felt that it was wrong to drink because I have always told people that I dislike alcohol and the taste is never satisfying. But since this game was a drinking simulation, I decided to accept alcohol as it is and enjoy the party with everyone else. Once I understood the concept of how many chips I could receive after each visit at the bar, I continued to go back in line with my group of friends and got more alcohol. It was hard to stop drinking because I already developed the momentum of going back and forth to the bar. Drinking and socializing with others was a fun activity because it was a positive environment to be in. I enjoyed cracking jokes with my friends and bragging how many chips I received from the past visits at the bar. After a few drinks went by, the drinking game felt normal because everyone was doing the same thing. However, there were people who served jail time and had to go to a hospital for an injury due to the card that they had to draw from the bartender. While I was feeling empathy towards those who were in a bad situation, I couldn’t help but ignore them. In my perspective, I did not want to stop drinking because I wanted to continue to have fun while the party lasted. Why stop when the party must go on? Most of the time, I bail on hangouts and parties because I choose school work over socialization. Thus, I would always be labeled as “lame”, “boring”, or “party-pooper” since I choose not to have fun and be an outsider. But this time, I decided to let loose and go with the flow because there is rarely a time for busy college students (like me) to have fun and do things that are out of the