Get into the 90s

Social norms

We tend to match our behavior to what we think everyone does, even if those perceptions are not accurate. Many WMU students initially find it hard to believe that their peers make healthier choices than expected. Causes of these misperceptions include:

• Popular TV shows and movies that show college students making risky choices such as drinking a lot, and often.
• Remembering what we see and hear rather than what we don’t. For example, with alcohol we see and hear the signs of alcohol use (empty bottles, holes in walls, vomit, music, voices, etc). However, our attention may not be grabbed by those who are not intoxicated. They don’t complain about hangovers or tell the horror stories of spending the night throwing up.
• Hearing more from the vocal minority. As a society, we tend to give voice to the minority of students who regularly drink in a high risk way. The majority of students who fall into the lower risk end of the spectrum typically are not as vocal or visible.

In reality, social “norms” as they are portrayed in popular culture are often very different than the facts on campus. Some of the actual social norms at WMU are listed below.

• 99 percent of WMU students prefer to date someone who drinks moderately, rarely, or never.
• 99 percent of WMU students prefer to be friends with someone who drinks moderately, rarely, or never.
• 85 percent of WMU students feel confident in their ability to get help for friend who is in distress

The data cited comes from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment a national research survey organized by the American College Health Association. Every two years WMU students participate in this survey and provide valuable information about the reality of their health-related behaviors and choices. The survey is a confidential, random selection of all students at WMU. The numbers cited above are drawn from answers WMU students reported in 2019.

So, if you are a WMU student and you don’t use alcohol or you use moderately–more of your peers are similar to you than you may think. Because of social stigma non-drinkers or moderate drinkers may not be broadcasting their healthy choices as loudly as the minority of students who do the majority of the drinking. Share your healthy choices with your peers. 

You’re probably already in the 90s, aren’t you?