New Weight Norm Research Published

A new article, co-authored by Professor of Sociology Wesley Perkins and Professor of Chemistry David Craig from Hobart and William Smith, and Jessica Perkins from the Department of Health Policy, Harvard University has been published in the current issue of Prevention Science. The article is titled "Misperception of Peer Weight Norms and Its Association with Overweight and Underweight Status Amon...  More >>

Perkins Quoted in New York Times

Wesley Perkins, professor of sociology, was quoted in a New York Times article about "imaginary peers" and social norms. The article follows the efforts of the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in trying to reduce heavy drinking. It shares some of the strategies employed by Michael Haines, who was the coordinator of the school's Health Enhancement Services, the most effective of which came ...  More >>

Perkins, Craig Give Social Norms Talks

Wesley Perkins, professor of sociology, was invited to give a plenary address at the Fifth International Conference on Alcohol and Harm Reduction held in Frankfurt, Germany, March 7 and 8. His talk was titled, "The Social Norms Approach to Alcohol Consumption and Harm Reduction." Perkins also recently presented research in collaboration with David Craig, professor of chemistry, at the Mental He...  More >>

Perkins Presents Training Session

Wesley Perkins, professor of sociology, was recently invited to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as a guest speaker for the Higher Education Meeting on Substance Abuse Prevention, sponsored by the Michigan Prevention Network. He presented a day-long training session on "Social Norms Theory and Practice Promoting Healthy Campus Environments." The event was attended by counselors, health e...  More >>

The Heart of Rock and Roll

The heart of rock and roll is alive - and beating - in the class of Assistant Professor of History and Hobart Associate Dean Chip Capraro. Recently, his first-year seminar course "Rock Music and American Masculinities," a learning community tied with Assistant Professor of Media and Society Leah Shafer's "Introduction to Media and Society," took their show on the road, and headed to the Rock and ...  More >>

Perkins Presents Keynote, Leads Workshop

Last month, Professor of Sociology H. Wesley Perkins was invited to participate in two professional development events, presenting his expertise in the area of social norms to individuals in the fields of environmental science and education. Perkins was a keynote speaker at The Environmental Defense Fund's Annual Science Day Conference in New York City. The conference was attended by Environment...  More >>

Social Norms Theory is the talk of Scotland Parliament

Professor of Anthropology and Sociology H. Wesley Perkins, who spoke about social norms at an October conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, was also cited in that nation's Parliamentary debate about strategies to promote health and well-being. His keynote address to the conference, sponsored by the Futures Forum, a commission of the Scottish Parliament charged with identifying strategies to promote health and well-being in Scotland, was hosted at the Parliament building in Edinburgh. After hearing ...  More >>

Perkins’ latest article included in special journal edition on college drinking

Professor of Sociology H. Wesley Perkins is the author of an article in a special issue of the journal Addictive Behaviors, focusing on college student drinking. This November issue is devoted to the theme of Reducing Alcohol Consumption in University Students. Perkins' article, "Misperceptions of peer drinking norms in Canada: Another look at the 'reign of error' and its consequences among college students, examines college students across Canada, where more than 5,200 students at 11 colleges ...  More >>

Programs Help Take Risky Behavior Out of the Game

Multi-school study of college student-athletes shows dramatic success using social norms to reduce alcohol and tobacco use and increase academic engagement (July 23, 2004) CHICAGO --The results are in, and they show that student-athletes are making smart choices when it comes to substance use. So say Hobart and William Smith Colleges Professors H. Wesley Perkins and David W. Craig, along with Sarah MacInnis, assistant director of Education Outreach for the NCAA in Indianapolis, Ind. The trio pre...  More >>

Perkins' Stance on Social Norms Receives Much Media Coverage

A press release stating Professor of Sociology Wes Perkins' views is available. A new report has been released by the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study saying that attempts to curb binge drinking on campuses through social norms programming have failed. Henry Wechsler, the director of the Harvard study, said he surveyed drinking patterns on 98 campuses, 37 of which have used social norms programs for one year, and found no improvement in lessening student drinking. Perkins di...  More >>