Blog #15 - Abstract and Bibliography

Binge drinking has become a nationwide problem among colleges and universities everywhere. Despite various prevention efforts, and numerous clubs and activities found at universities, binge drinking among college students is still a common problem. One form of intervention which has gained attention by researchers and colleges alike is social norms campaigns. Social norms campaigns promote moderate drinking to college students. Statistics of the university's drinking are posted in newspaper ads, posters, the internet, or anywhere that will receive attention from students. Through this promotion, students will become more aware of other students' drinking and decrease their own. For some universities, this form of intervention has been an effective way of dealing with binge drinking. For other universities, it has not. Yet, despite the mixed results of these social norms programs, a community based effort must be made. Stricter laws, increased enforcement from police, and decreased availability of alcohol will all help to reduce binge drinking, especially among underage students.

- Gladwell, Malcolm. "Drinking Games." The New Yorker. Google, 15 and 22 Feb. 2010. Web. 22 Feb. 2010.

- Lederman, Linda C. and Lea P. Stewart. Changing the Culture of College Drinking. Hampton Press: Cresskill, 2005. Print.

- Neighbors, Clayton, Christine, M. Lee, and Melissa A. Lewis. "Are Social Norms the Best Predictor of Outcomes among Heavy-Drinking College Students?" Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 68.4 (2007): 556-65. Print.

- Russell, Cristel Antonia, John D. Clapp, and William DeJong. “Done 4: Analysis of a Failed Social Norms Marketing Campaign.” Health Communication 17.1 (2005): 57-65. Print.

- Stewart, Lea P. Personal Interview. 20 Apr. 2010.

- Turner, James, H.W. Perkins, and Jennifer Bauerle. “Declining Negative Consequences Related to Alcohol Misuse among Students Exposed to a Social Norms Marketing Intervention on a College Campus.” Journal of American College Health 57.1 (2008): 85-94. Print.

- “Underage Alcohol Use: Where Do Young People Drink?” NSDUH: Report Series (2008). Lexis Nexis. Web. 25 March 2010.

- Wechsler, Henry and Bernice Wuethrich. Dying to Drink: Confronting Binge Drinking on College Campuses. n.p., Rodale, 2002. Print.

- Weitzman, Elissa R., Toben F. Nelson, and Henry Wechsler. “Taking Up Binge Drinking in College: The Influences of Person, Social Group, and Environment.” Journal of Adolescent Health 32.1 (2003): 25-35. Print.

Blog #14: Your Story

Throughout the semester, my research has changed dramatically. I originally thought that I would be writing about the arts in some way, but gradually moved toward alcohol related issues. At first, I considered the topic of changing the current drinking age, but became more focused on binge drinking at college and why students do it. This eventually evolved into my present research topic of the effectiveness of social norms programs to prevent binge drinking among students.

Although I knew most students drank, I did not realize the extent of binge drinking on college campuses until I started reading the statistics. It also made me more conscious of the prevention programs that were being implemented at college universities, including Rutgers (like the RU Sure).

As a writer, I think I have learned that you need to keep an open mind when researching a topic you aren't familiar with. I also learned that you need to be clear and concise in your writing and not go in circles. Ultimately, some sort of conclusion has to result from the writing.

Blog #13: Visual Aids

The two images show how many full-time college students binge drink or drink heavily.