Comparing entering freshmen's perceptions of campus marijuana and alcohol use to reported use.
Use of marijuana and alcohol among current college students (N = 1101) was compared to the perceptions and use of entering freshmen (N = 481) surveyed before the start of classes. Entering freshmen significantly misperceived campus norms for marijuana use, over-estimating that almost every student used in the last 30 days, p <.001. Perceptions of alcohol use were relatively accurate. These discrepancies in perception could account for why 40.5% of entering students perceived the campus atmosphere to be promoting marijuana use, whereas only 16.2% perceived the campus atmosphere to be promoting alcohol use. How these misperceptions of social norms might be influenced by the reputation of the campus-and how this might affect potential applicants and enrolled students' behaviors are discussed.
Gold
Gregg J
GJ
Humboldt State University, Arcata, California 95521, USA. gregg.gold@humboldt.edu
Nguyen
Alyssa T
AT
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010465:Perception; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult