Previous literature has found the impact of peer drinking on adolescent drinking behavior. Most research has assumed that there are social reciprocations for not conforming to typical behaviors. In this paper I assess whether the two different mechanisms of peer influence, adherence to group norms (local-average model) and social multiplier effect (local-aggregate model), are present. I evaluate the presence of these mechanisms by using a modified spatial autoregressive model and by utilizing friendship nomination data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). I find the presence of adherence to group norms in the drinking behaviors of adolescents, and little evidence of the social multiplier effect. These findings indicate that anti-alcohol policies would have to target most adolescents in schools in order to effectively change alcohol consumption.
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