Prentice and Miller (1996) found that most college students overestimate how comfortable their peers are with alcohol on campus. This misperception is an example of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance occurs when individuals mistakenly believe that their own attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors are different from those of the majority, often leading to conformity to what they perceive as the norm. In the case of Prentice and Miller's study, the misperception among college students about their peers' comfort with alcohol represents pluralistic ignorance, as students overestimate the comfort level of their peers, potentially leading to more alcohol consumption in an effort to fit in with the perceived norm.

Prentice and Miller (1996) Found That Most College Students Overestimate