Influence of Peer Group Towards The Attitudes of Grade 12 Senior High-School

Students

By De Leon, A.V.*, Toluan, L., Sarmiento, KC, Manuel, C.R., Tolentino, C., and
Dimacali, M.C.
Jesus Saves Integrated School Foundation, Inc.

Introduction

People who have similar characters or interests, especially ones of which

you disapprove, and who often spend time with each other – which means

people who shares common interests can shape one’s character. On the other

hand, peer group refers to group of people who share certain social

characteristics, such as age, class, occupation, or education, and interact on a

level of equality. An individual may be a member of several peer groups,

including friends, schoolmates, and coworkers.

According to Berkman (2000) as quoted by Simons-Morton and Farhat

(2012), social influence is the effect others have on individual and group attitudes

and behavior. Peer groups are important in socialization, as individuals attempt

to conform to the expectations of their peer groups. The members of this group

are likely to influence the person’s beliefs and attitude. Attitude is an acquired

state which is attained through experiences in a person’s life. It is a state which

makes someone liable for his actions and reactions. Attitude is a state of thought

which is totally dependent on the condition of the event or situation. It can be

evaluated by two measures, the one is extremely negative and the other is

extremely positive. There are people who can take hold on both the types of

attitude positive as well as negative. During adolescence, peer groups tend to

face dramatic changes. Adolescents tend to spend more time with their peers

and have less adult supervision. Adolescents’ communication shifts during this

time as well. They prefer to talk about school and their careers with their parents,

and they enjoy talking about and other interpersonal relationships with their

peers. Children look to join peer groups who accept them, even if the group is

involved in negative activities.

Oluwamayowa (2016) reported that peer pressure is not always negative.

Sometimes, it inculcates new hobbies, habits, attitudes health conscience or a

strong urge to succeed amongst people and where this happens, it is positive.

On the other hand, blindly following peers and not holding personal opinion might

leave a negative impact on someone’s life. Peers may teach teenagers some

good things about life and encourage to follow them. This will help teenager to

change for the better. Adopting good habits of peers can actually bring about a

positive change not only in life but also in someone’s way of thinking. Since there

is a huge diversity in human attitude, exposure to peer group will give a good

opportunity to analyze the likes and viewpoint of different people. This will result

in getting a chance to choose the best from what the masses have to offer. Peers

might even inspire in some way or the other or even persuade teenagers to bring

about a constructive change in life. Therefore, peer pressure can also have a

positive impact on life and can actually lead teenagers to make the right choices.

According to Hyde (2016), Peer pressure is a tricky thing. The very human

desire to be accepted or, at the very least, to avoid being marginalized can

deeply skew our perception of ourselves and the world around us. Friends may
influence everything from what to wears to how to talks and attitude. Most of well

aware how negative peer pressure can influence one’s life but we would still like

to throw some more light on this aspect. There might be a particular idea, a habit,

or a lifestyle which personality. Similarly, a large number of vices such as

smoking, drinking, becoming drug addict and other are cultivated when

teenagers blindly follow their peers, putting aside their own will. Furthermore,

teenagers lose identity by surrender to peer pressure. Lose lifestyle and entirely

adopt your peers’ way of living. No longer follow own taste and are forced to like

what peers like and do what they do. This is how peer pressure can yield a wide

array of negative outcomes for life.

Realizing this can boost not only worth, but confidence. Overcoming these

trials can be difficult, but can be done by changing mindset. Being and acting for

is truly what is going to make happy. Popularity seems to be different from peer

acceptance when adolescent aim to become popular, this goal can be

detrimental to their achievement. Over all, it does not seem to be case that peer

influences necessarily occur at the expense of learning, instead they may faster

learning and this chapter explores the idea that one way in which peers may

benefit students is by their academic motivation.

Peer group is an important factor in the development of the student. The

students personality and attitude can be possibly affected by their group. It can

be a negative influence when some students choose to be in bad habits, many

others are rushed into this decision on a positive side peer pressure does not

always have to do with drugs and alcohol.

 In this paper, the researchers aim to inform the Grade 12 students for

them to be more responsible to their peer groups. And to inform that peer group

possess both positive and negative effects for students. Including their behavior,

attitude and their overall outlook on their lives. In order to reach that goal we

need to conduct a survey to Grade 12 Senior High-school students how peer

group affect student’s attitude in school.

Statement of the Problem

1. How may the respondents be decided according to:

1.1 Age;

1.2 Sex; and

1.3 Economic Background?

2. What factors lead the students to join the group?

2.1 The way they think by means of:

2.1.1 Interests that befriended each others;

2.1.2 Intellectual significance, impact or camaraderie; and

2.1.3 Attitude, character and values that stick them together;

2.2 The way they act by means of:

2.2.1 Hobbies that they kept their peer together;

2.2.2 Physical and sports activities; and

2.2.3 Other miscellaneous hyperactive activities; or

2.3 Their vices by means of:

2.3.1 Gaming (ML, DotA2 , and ROS among other);

 2.3.2 Reveling in mall, parks, and other comfort places; and

2.3.3 Miscellaneous vices?

3. How peer group affects the behavior of the respondents in terms of:

3.1 Attitude towards members of the group;

3.2 Socialize with other people; and

3.3 Higher perspective for the community?

4. What is the implication of peer group towards the attitude of its member?

Significance of the Study

This research will be conducted for the benefits of both male and female

Grade 12 Senior High-School students.

For students, this research aims to gain more knowledge about the

positive and negative effects of peer group.

For teachers, this study would like to remind the teachers that many of

their students involved in peer groups which can have many effects on students.

Researchers wants the teachers to teach and persuade their students to choose

their peer groups wisely.

For school principal, researchers wants to notify the school principal to

advise their students to choose the appropriate peer group as well as develop a

program for the Guidance Counselor to dissert problems that might rise on peer

group and peer pressure.

For school administrator, researchers wants to inform the school

administration that many of their students involved in the wrong peer group and
the right peer group membership. The school administrator can create additional

sanctions for those who will be involved in inappropriate conduct.

For parents, parents can have the idea of the issue that their child was

going through. They can be able to have the idea of the proper way of guiding

their child so the teenagers would be able to take chances of doing right things

together with their peers.

Lastly for future researchers, this research can be both a source and

benefit for their work. It will help them what to do with this research especially in

determining the consequential cause and effect of peer pressure and peer group

interaction when relayed to attitude.

Scope of Delimitation

This research reveals the powerful major influence or effect of peer group

towards to the student weather it is good or bad. This study focuses on the

factors to be considered by the teenagers and student in dealing with peer group.

This study will discuss also the pressure involves in peer. Peer pressure have

been considered as one of the most major problem of the society today.

This study will no longer to discuss other matters and cases and sensitive

issues of the senior high-school students this is also to give emphasis to the

peers the teenagers will encounter their maturity and possible experiences

The research will be conducted to 34 Senior High School Students

enrolled at Jesus Saves Integrated School Foundation Inc for the Academic Year
2019 – 2020.
Notes in Chapter 1

Oluwamayowa, Adeyemi Raphael (2016). Peer Pressure: A Practical

Guide To Handle It Successfully. at http://www.notable-
quotes.com/p/peer_pressure_quotes.html

Hyde, Bryan (2016). “Perspectives”. St. George News. Available at

http://www.notable-quotes.com/p/peer_pressure_quotes.html

Simons-Morton, Bruce EdD, MPH and Farhat, Tilha PhD, MPH (2012).
Recent Findings on Peer Group Influences on Adolescent Substance Use.
Journal of Primary Prevention. Published August 2010, Volume 31 No. 4, pp.
191–208. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3313483/
 Chapter 2

Relevant Theory

Child Development Theory: Adolescence according Risas.org (2019) the

acceptance by a peer group becomes so important teens may modify their
speech, dress, behavior, choices and activities to become more similar to their
peers. This increased similarity among peers provides them a sense of security
affirms their acceptance into their chosen peer groups.

Injunctive and Descriptive Peer Group Norms Hamm et. al., (2010) quoted
that peer group normative relationship did not differ by gender, ethnic minority
status, or school configuration. Implications for understanding peer influence and
for educational practice are discussed

Social Learning Theory quoted by David, L (2019), according to Bandura

“People learn one another, via observation, imitation, and modeling. The theory
has often been called a bridge between behaviourist and cognitive learning
theories because it encompasses attention, memory and motivation.”

Erik Erikson’s Stages Of Psychosocial Development quoted by Saul

McLeod (2018) according Erik Erikson “Identity vs. Role Confusion occurs during
adolescence, from about 12-18 years. During this stage adolescents search for a
sense of self and personal identity, through and intense exploration of personal
values, beliefs and goals”

Child Development Theory: Adolescence according Risas.org (2019)

When teens modify their choice or behaviour in order to conform to what their
friends are doing, they are answering to peer pressure. Peer pressure is often
associated with negative outcomes such as escaping school, wearing distasteful
clothing, or alcohol and other drug use. However, many parents do not recognize
that peer pressure can also exert a positive influence. Because of advanced
cognitive and emotional maturity, teens can now encourage each other to make
wise decision and discourage each other from making harmful choices.

(Related Literature)

Foreign Literature
they pressure to conform (to do what others are doing) can be powerful
and hard to resist. A person might feel pressure to do something just because
others are doing it (or say they are). Peer pressure can influence a person to do
something that is relatively harmless — or something that has more serious
consequences. Giving in to the pressure to dress a certain way is one thing —
going along with the crowd to drink or smoke is another.People may feel
pressure to conform so they fit in or are accepted, or so they don't feel awkward
or uncomfortable. When people are unsure of what to do in a social situation,
they naturally look to others for cues about what is and isn't acceptable.The
people who are most easily influenced will follow someone else's lead first. Then
others may go along, too — so it can be easy to think, "It must be OK. Everyone
else is doing it. They must know what they're doing." Before you know it, many
people are going along with the crowd — perhaps on something they might not
otherwise do.Responding to peer pressure is part of human nature — but some
people are more likely to give in, and others are better able to resist and stand
their ground. People who are low on confidence and those who tend to follow
rather than lead could be more likely to seek their peers' approval by giving in to
a risky challenge or suggestion. People who are unsure of themselves, new to
the group, or inexperienced with peer pressure may also be more likely to give in.

Another factor that may be found in the influence of the peer group is the type of
friendship, which adolescents maintain with their peer group: if friends are close
they have a greater influence on the other’s behaviours. Another factor, which
has been identified as a possible factor of decreasing peer influence is assertive
refusal. Adolescents that are able to maintain an assertive refusal are less
susceptible to the group’s influence (Glaser, Shelton & Bree, 2010).
It’s normal for young people to worry about fitting in. Peer groups play an important role in
young people’s lives, particularly during adolescence. ‘Peer pressure’ refers to the influence
that these groups can have on how an individual thinks and acts. You can often find out who
your child’s peers are by paying attention to who they socialise with and speak about.
Supporting your child to recognise teen peer pressure, when it helps and hinders them, and
how they can develop their own individuality, is an important role for parents.

Normally, parents try to do their best while bringing up their child – nurturing them with love,
teaching them right from wrong and hoping the best for their future. However, their time spent on
them has little effect on their long-term development, particularly when they leave their nest to
explore the temptations of the world. This is the time when parents come to know if their
upbringing has stood the test of time. Most of the time the need to be accepted by the ‘in’ crowd
at school puts a lot of pressure on a child, and they end up giving in to their peers rather than
sticking to the lessons they've learnt at home. In such situations peer pressure wins over the
parents’ influence on teenagers. Famous American psychologist, Judith Rich Harris says, a child
who is raised in a traditional, happy family with adequate attention and care is as likely to go
astray as the one brought up in a broken home; given their company of friends and peers at
school. Parents' influence on teenagers doesn't always last in the face of peer pressure.
Reviewed by: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD

Date reviewed: July 2015

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/peer-pressure.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4777050/

https://parents.au.reachout.com/common-concerns/everyday-issues/peer-pressure-and-
teenagers

https://www.secureteen.com/peer-pressure/peer-pressure-vs-parental-influence-who-is-the-
winner/