Alcohol consumption of young adults takes mainly place in social settings. Often, in research on social influence and drinking behavior only questionnaires are used. However, to obtain insight in the process of social influence, it is valuable to observe the actual behavior.

In this study, The Observer Video-Pro 5.0 was used to record and analyze drinking episodes in existing peer groups of eight individuals. The process of ordering and consuming drinks was mapped, as well as the activities the participants were involved in. Combined with questionnaire data, it showed that there are some important differences between the peer influences on male and female drinking behavior.

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