Scenario Question Stems: Navigating Peer Pressure

Introduction to Stand-Your-Ground Corners Activity

"Alright class, for our next activity, we're going to put our understanding of peer pressure, integrity, groupthink, and moral courage into practice. We're going to play 'Stand-Your-Ground Corners.' Here's how it works:

I'm going to read a series of scenarios. After each scenario, you'll decide which statement best reflects your immediate response: 'Strongly Agree,' 'Agree,' 'Disagree,' or 'Strongly Disagree.' Each of these will be represented by a corner of the room.

Once I read the scenario, you will silently move to the corner that aligns with your feelings. Once in your corner, you'll have a minute to discuss with your group why you chose that corner. Think about what we just discussed regarding integrity and moral courage. Then, we'll share our reasoning with the whole class. After hearing other perspectives, you'll have the option to change your corner if your opinion shifts. There are no right or wrong answers, but strong justifications are key!"

Scenario Prompts (for 'Stand-Your-Ground Corners' Activity)

• "A group of your friends is making fun of another student's new haircut in the hallway. They expect you to join in. Statement: It's okay to laugh along to avoid being targeted myself."

• "Your team is working on a presentation, and a few members suggest 'borrowing' some ideas directly from an online source without giving credit, saying 'everyone does it.' Statement: It's acceptable to use uncredited work if it helps the team get a better grade."

• "You notice a close friend cheating on a test. They give you a look that clearly asks you not to say anything. Statement: Reporting my friend would be a betrayal of our friendship."

• "Your favorite athlete posts something offensive online. Your friends are all defending the athlete, saying it's 'just a joke.' Statement: I should publicly support my friends and the athlete, even if I disagree privately."

Discussion Prompts (for Whole Class Discussion)

"Great work reflecting on those scenarios. Now, let's bring it all together with a class discussion. I want you to think deeply about these questions:

1. Thinking back to our scenarios, what makes it so hard to resist negative peer pressure, even when you know it's not the right thing to do?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How can practicing moral courage, even in small ways, help build a stronger and healthier team culture for everyone?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Can you think of a time when someone stood up for their integrity in a difficult situation? What impact did that have?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. The closing thought for today is: 'Integrity is influence turned inside-out.' What do you think this means, and how can you apply it in your own life to be a 'culture curator'?"
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Stand-Your-Ground Corners: Taking a Stand for Integrity

Objective

To actively engage with peer-pressure scenarios, practice making integrity-based decisions, and articulate the reasoning behind those choices.

Materials

• Your classroom, with four designated corners for "Strongly Agree," "Agree," "Disagree," and "Strongly Disagree."
• Scenario Question Stems Script (for the teacher to read)

Instructions

1. Listen Carefully: Your teacher will read a scenario aloud from the Scenario Question Stems Script.
2. Choose Your Corner: After the scenario is read, take a moment to think about your immediate reaction to the statement presented. Then, silently and quickly move to the corner of the room that best represents your stance:
   • Strongly Agree: You completely agree with the statement.
   • Agree: You mostly agree with the statement.
   • Disagree: You mostly disagree with the statement.
   • Strongly Disagree: You completely disagree with the statement.
3. Discuss Your Reasoning (within your corner): Once in your corner, you will have a short time (about 1 minute) to discuss with the other students in your corner why you chose that particular stance. Think about:
   • What are your core values in this situation?
   • What are the potential consequences of agreeing or disagreeing?
   • How does this relate to peer pressure, integrity, groupthink, or moral courage?
4. Share with the Class: Your teacher will then ask each corner to briefly share their main reasons for their position with the entire class. Listen respectfully to what others have to say.
5. Reflect and Reconsider (Optional): After hearing from all the corners, you will have the opportunity to change your corner if something another group said has made you reconsider your original position. This is encouraged – it shows critical thinking and openness to new perspectives!
6. Repeat: We will repeat this process for several different scenarios. Be prepared to explain your thinking for each one!