Pluralistic ignorance concerning alcohol usage among recent high school graduates

Recent high school graduates in a midwestern community estimated their classmates\u27 attitudes toward alcohol use in contrast to their own positions. Attitudes were assessed on three levels: subjective comfort with others\u27 drinking, approval of peer drinking and actual drinking practices. Pluralistic ignorance was found to be a significant factor at all three levels, p \u3c .0005. Respondents reported that they were less comfortable, less approving, and drank less than close friends, lesser still than friends, and far less than peers. These findings provide support for normative education prevention programs that attempt to correct erroneous perceptions about alcohol use and abuse