The influences involved in the role play are peer pressure from Dany, difference of opinion because she smokes and I don’t, and persuasion when she tries to convince me to try it.

At first, I come up with excuses without actually saying no, I said we’re indoors, and lied and said I was “allergic to smoke.” I delayed it at the start.  Then I use negotiation, I tell her we should study instead, but she keeps insisting. Finally, I have to be clear and refuse, because I’m not comfortable with smoking, then I apologize, because not smoking doesn’t mean I want us to fight, so I smooth things over, and we make up. 

This builds resilience because knowing how to say no, even if you’re best friend suggests it, is important to learn. It shows strong character, it helps you by having good decision-making skills by knowing what’s right or wrong. Also, instead of getting into a whole fight over a cigarette, by using different tactics, such as, negotiate, assertive communication, then refusal the outcome is better. It makes you strong because you regulate your emotions/feelings in an appropriate way. 

I used 3 of the core competencies in my assignment. I used communication when I used different tactics to negotiate other things we could’ve done instead of smoking. I used critical thinking when I gathered that my friend wasn’t going to let it go, based on how the conversation had gone so far, so I had to use a different approach, outright refusal. I used social skills by being assertive in my refusal but not too harsh, so it doesn’t end up as a fight.