Abstract
48 students were presented hypothetical situations having to do with smoking, drinking liquor, using other drugs, and over-eating. They were asked to indicate their reference others and the others' expectations for their behavior in these situations. Family members and friends were the most frequently named reference others, varying in importance with the situation. Perception of reference others' expectations tends to correspond with respondents' behavior, encouraging drinking and discouraging smoking and drugs. Inconsistencies between reference-others' expectations and respondents' behaviors and respondents' values elicited comments suggesting that the questions alone may lead respondents to feel dissatisfied with the behavior.
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