These initial studies illustrate a need to further consider biologically based mechanisms and moderators in researchers’ conceptualizations of peer influence effects. Behavioral genetics approaches can offer insight into both genetic and environmental causal mechanisms that remain undetected through other methods (Moffitt, 2005). Cognitive neuroscience approaches offer a critical avenue for better understanding adolescents’ information processing mechanisms that may mediate peer influence effects. Clearly, more research on this relatively novel approach to the study of peer influence processes will help to further tailor focused prevention and intervention programs aimed to reduce negative influence effects.
