Theme 6: Social influence and doping

Very often, the decision to use or not to use doping substances is not taken in a calm, well-defined and emotionally detached manner. This Session explores the most common sources of social pressure that influence athletes towards using doping substances. Using an experiential activity, this Session aims to produce knowledge from athletes’ own experience. Using videos depicting classic studies in the field of psychology, it showcases how social pressures are powerful in shaping our own behavior, even when our rationality dictates not to act differently.  The Session aims at enhancing doping awareness literacy in order to be aware of the powerful influence that the social context can have in shaping our behavior, and in extend in engaging in doping practices.