I. Is social campaigning on college campuses an effective way of dealing with binge drinking?
A. Introduction
1. stats to show that binge drinking is a problem; include definition of binge drinking
2. results to show that social influences are a strong determining factor to binge drinking (Neighbors)
3. Introduce what social marketing is. Comes from social norms theory (explain what this is and where it comes from).
4. State Thesis. Should not be used because it is not convincing or effective for students.
B. Those who believe social norms programs are an effective way of dealing with college binge drinking.
1. (Perkins article). Students became exposed to messages and posters that emphasized healthy, responsible drinking habits. Meant to correct misconceptions about the amount of alcohol students drink and how often they drink, and promote safe behaviors when drinking (like not leaving a friend alone if passed out or drunk driving).
a. messages were placed on posters, in newspapers, and in ads.
b. was originally for freshman, but spread to rest of undergraduates
c. helped dramatically reduce negative consequences resulting from drinking as well as blood alcohol levels. The more often students saw these messages, the more their alcohol related consequences decreased.
i. “The proportion of students reporting no consequences increased substantially from 33% in 2001 to 51% in 2006, whereas the prevalence of multiple consequences declined from 44% to 26% in the same time frame” (89).
2. RU Sure campaign: acts as case.
C. Those who don’t believe social norms programs are an effective way of dealing with college binge drinking
1. Students may ignore it; advertisement is not clear. Cannot distinguish purpose. (Russell: Done Four Project)
a. May think it’s another zero-tolerance message. (Wechsler)
2. Is not an easy fix to college drinking behavior. Drinking behavior is ingrained within the college culture. (Malcolm Gladwell)
3. Hard to address typical college student when there are so many different types.
4. Statistics may be faulty or presented in a misleading way. (RU Sure campaign)
5. Answer to Thesis: social norms programs are not effective
D. Solutions: ways to prevent college binge drinking right now
1. enforce rules and regulations more strictly, esp. underage drinking
2. limit access to bars and restaurants where underage drinkers could gain access; make sure alcohol is not being sold at cheap prices to students
a. “wet” environment are prominent around college campuses (Taking Up Binge Drinking…Influences of Person, Social Group, and Environment)
b. students who are exposed to this wet environment are more likely to binge drink (Weitzman, Nelson, and Wechsler)
3. new housing at colleges that promotes “dry” environment or enforce rules in college housing (fraternities and sororities).
4. More research for more consistent results
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Blog #11 - The Case
My case to support my topic would be to examine statistics about Rutgers students who have been binge drinking (from the alcohol studies library on Busch).
Questions I am looking for in my research may include:
- How many students at Rutgers have been binge drinking recently (within the last ten years)?
- Have any students become heavy drinkers when they entered college? If yes, why did this happen (why not in high school)? Have any students at Rutgers become addicted?
- Which students tended to drink more? Was there a particular group of people who did?
Another idea for my case would be to interview a faculty member at Rutgers from the 1980s, when the drinking age was 18. Questions I could ask would be:
- What was the environment like when students could drink on campus, like at the student center? Was it a party atmosphere?
- What was the behavior of the students? Was there a lot of drinking?
- Did professors drink with students? Was this ever a problem?
Questions I am looking for in my research may include:
- How many students at Rutgers have been binge drinking recently (within the last ten years)?
- Have any students become heavy drinkers when they entered college? If yes, why did this happen (why not in high school)? Have any students at Rutgers become addicted?
- Which students tended to drink more? Was there a particular group of people who did?
Another idea for my case would be to interview a faculty member at Rutgers from the 1980s, when the drinking age was 18. Questions I could ask would be:
- What was the environment like when students could drink on campus, like at the student center? Was it a party atmosphere?
- What was the behavior of the students? Was there a lot of drinking?
- Did professors drink with students? Was this ever a problem?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Blog #10- The Debate
The debate I have identified is why binge drinking is prominent, specifically with college students, and the causes behind binge drinking. Each of my causes for binge drinking is supported by an author(s).
- binge drinking is apart of college culture (Malcolm Gladwell) and the environment around college encourages drinking (Weitzman, Elissa R., Toben F. Nelson, and Henry Wechsler)
- social norms encourage students to drink because they are copying how much other students drink (Weitzman, Elissa R., Toben F. Nelson, and Henry Wechsler) and students even exceed their drinking limits because of this (Jones, L. B.)
- students only consider themselves to be problem drinkers if a serious consequence occurs (Eshbaugh, Elaine M.) and students may not be problem drinkers at all; the theory behind binge drinking in college is unrealistic (Straus, Robert, Selden D. Bacon)
**Note: my counter arguments (how binge drinking has been dealt with in the past and present) will strengthen my argument about why binge drinking is still a problem in colleges today. Also, the Robert Straus resource will probably be replaced.
- binge drinking is apart of college culture (Malcolm Gladwell) and the environment around college encourages drinking (Weitzman, Elissa R., Toben F. Nelson, and Henry Wechsler)
- social norms encourage students to drink because they are copying how much other students drink (Weitzman, Elissa R., Toben F. Nelson, and Henry Wechsler) and students even exceed their drinking limits because of this (Jones, L. B.)
- students only consider themselves to be problem drinkers if a serious consequence occurs (Eshbaugh, Elaine M.) and students may not be problem drinkers at all; the theory behind binge drinking in college is unrealistic (Straus, Robert, Selden D. Bacon)
**Note: my counter arguments (how binge drinking has been dealt with in the past and present) will strengthen my argument about why binge drinking is still a problem in colleges today. Also, the Robert Straus resource will probably be replaced.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Blog #9
Since I changed my argument to the causes of binge drinking instead of a new drinking age, I feel that I have a strong foundation for my paper. I feel I have strong reasons for my paper and have found some adequate sources.
However, I want to make sure I have enough to talk about for my paper and can expand on my reasoning. I think my research proposal covered a lot of what I will talk about, but more should be discussed for my paper.
I also want to make sure my argument is specific enough for a thought out debate and my scholarly book is appropriate and up to date; I'm considering getting another book for more recent research.
And if any suggestions can be made about the kinds of questions I should ask the dean for the alcohol studies department (for my primary source) it would be appreciated.
However, I want to make sure I have enough to talk about for my paper and can expand on my reasoning. I think my research proposal covered a lot of what I will talk about, but more should be discussed for my paper.
I also want to make sure my argument is specific enough for a thought out debate and my scholarly book is appropriate and up to date; I'm considering getting another book for more recent research.
And if any suggestions can be made about the kinds of questions I should ask the dean for the alcohol studies department (for my primary source) it would be appreciated.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Blog #8 - Research Question in Conversation with Sources
My original research question concerned the current drinking age and its impacts on college students today. How successful would a new drinking age be (18 years instead of 21 years) based on the lifestyles and drinking habits of college students today? But, based on some of the readings, I think a more appropriate question would be why do most students in college drink excessively, and despite its negative effects, continue to do so? My points supporting my argument include how culture shapes our drinking habits, how social norms can change how we perceive others, and how students may not realize the dangerous of their drinking.
The type of culture someone is raised in affects how alcohol is treated, such as its purpose or the way it is used. Culture creates certain boundaries and rules that are blindly followed. The "myopia theory" expands on this idea further. The "myopia theory" explains that a drunk is more sensitive to his environment (than when he is sober) and abides by the rules that are in front of him. Instead of being completely numb to his environment, as the "disinhibition theory" suggests, the person pays particular attention to the standards and expectations established by culture.
Social norms play a large part in why and how much students drink. The influence of both friends and family affect someone's drinking. According to recent research, students who "overestimate the drinking of their peers and who perceive their friends as more approving of alcohol have more problems because they drink more." If someone was drinking with another group of people, or perhaps by himself, then the amount of alcohol consumed would change. Also, less social anxiety would result.
In terms of the dangers of drinking, some students do not realize that they could be "problem drinkers." Many students drink on a regular basis (every week) in heavy amounts. They do not perceive this as problematic (maybe because of social norms or the fact that it is ritualized), but in essence, the amount of drinking being done is unhealthy and excessive. Many students may not realize that their drinking is out of hand and may be blind sided to future problems with alcohol.
The type of culture someone is raised in affects how alcohol is treated, such as its purpose or the way it is used. Culture creates certain boundaries and rules that are blindly followed. The "myopia theory" expands on this idea further. The "myopia theory" explains that a drunk is more sensitive to his environment (than when he is sober) and abides by the rules that are in front of him. Instead of being completely numb to his environment, as the "disinhibition theory" suggests, the person pays particular attention to the standards and expectations established by culture.
Social norms play a large part in why and how much students drink. The influence of both friends and family affect someone's drinking. According to recent research, students who "overestimate the drinking of their peers and who perceive their friends as more approving of alcohol have more problems because they drink more." If someone was drinking with another group of people, or perhaps by himself, then the amount of alcohol consumed would change. Also, less social anxiety would result.
In terms of the dangers of drinking, some students do not realize that they could be "problem drinkers." Many students drink on a regular basis (every week) in heavy amounts. They do not perceive this as problematic (maybe because of social norms or the fact that it is ritualized), but in essence, the amount of drinking being done is unhealthy and excessive. Many students may not realize that their drinking is out of hand and may be blind sided to future problems with alcohol.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)