Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

Peer pressure is the influence exerted by a group of people of similar age or

status on others to push them to adopt their attitudes, habits, or ideals. It can be positive

or detrimental, influencing everything from clothing styles to major decisions.

Adolescence is the transitional stage of an individual’s life, where a child’s personality

changes from infancy to adulthood. This transition is often accompanied by peer

pressure, as adolescents often seek solace in their peers and want to do as their peers

do, even if they don’t know if it’s right or wrong (Adeniyi & Kolawole, 2015). students

spend most of their time with their chosen peers in school, sports, and recreational

activities and feel the need to connect with others to share or share information, news,

or ideas with others. The concept of friendship among children is sometimes focused on

cooperative practices, whereas the concept of friendliness among teenagers is mainly

focused on sharing ideas and feelings with each other (Acar, 2017). In general,

teenagers spend more time with their peers. Peer pressure is described as having a

positive and negative impact on individuals and even without effect to a person because

peer pressure is a continuous learning (Gulati, 2017).

Theoretical Framework

This work was based on Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory (1977) and

Social Cognitive Theory or SCT (1986).

Albert Bandura's theory on social learning emphasizes the significant role of

observation and modeling in the learning process. Unlike the traditional view that

learning results solely from direct experiences with the environment, Bandura contends

that individuals can learn by simply observing others' behavior. In his 1977 book "Social

Learning Theory," Bandura states that a considerable portion of human behavior is

acquired through observational learning and modeling. By watching others, individuals

information serves as a guide for future actions. Applying social learning effectively in

the workplace involves actively engaging in the process. Attention, retention,

reproduction, and motivation are essential components for individuals to derive benefits

from social learning practices.

The theory later evolved into the social cognitive theory in 1986. Social cognitive

theory is a general theory that stresses learning from the social environment. From its

early focus on observational learning through modeling, social cognitive theory has

expanded in scope to address such processes as motivation and self-regulation.

Bandura's social cognitive theory postulates reciprocal interactions among personal,

behavioral, and social/environmental factors. Researchers in this tradition have

investigated the operation of vicarious, symbolic, and self-regulatory processes, in the

various ways that individuals interact with their environments and one another.

A key point is that persons seek to develop a sense of agency for being able to exert a

large degree of control over important events in their lives. Among the influential

variables affecting one's sense of agency are self-efficacy, outcome expectations,

goals, and self-evaluations of progress. We can expect further refinements in the theory

as researchers apply this agentic perspective to human functioning in diverse areas in

education and other domains.

Conceptual Framework

The diagram below shows the independent and dependent variable. The

independent variable. The independence variables are the student’s social

belongingness, education, and their curiosity. On the other hand, the dependent

variable is the first seems grade of the students

Factors affecting peer Academic performance:

 Student’s social
(First semester grade)
belongingness
 Student’s education
 Student’s curiosity

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the study

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of the study was to determine whether peer pressure has an

impact on senior high school student’s academic performance by answering the

following questions:

1. What is the first semester grades of senior high school students?

2. What is the level of influence of each factor affecting student’s peer pressure?

2.1 Student’s social belongings

2.2 Student education

2.3 Student’s curiosity

3. Is there a significant association between the:

3.1 First semester grade of senior high school students?

3.2 Level of influence of each factor affecting student’s peer pressure?

Significance of the study

This study aimed to bring contribution to the following:

this study. They will be aware on what’s the effect of peer pressure to their performance

in school.

Parents. This study will give an idea to the parents on how peer pressure affects

the performance in school of their children. Whether it’s negative or positive.

School. The school will benefit this research since the subject is the students.

The school will know the impact of peer pressure to students and that will give them a

guide on how they will take action regarding this matter.

Future Researchers. The future researchers in the field of studying this topic will

use the findings of this study as the baseline data and basis for future research in

connection with this topic.

Scope and Limitations

This study seeks to determine the correlation between peer press and academic

performance of students of one of the public schools in Cagayan de Oro City. The study

was conducted in Puerto Senior High School, Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis

Oriental. The participants of the study are the Grade 11 and 12 stydentsin HUMANITIES

AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (HUMSS) strand, General Academic Strand (GAS), and the

ACCOUNTANCY, BUSINESS, and MANAGEMENT strand (ABM).

Definition of terminologies

In order to provide a better understanding of the concepts used in the

study, the following terms were defined both conceptually and in an operational

way:

Peer. A person of the same age, the same social position, or having the

same abilities as other people in a group.

Peer pressure. Peer pressure is the process by which members of the

same social group influence other members to do things that they may be
resistant to, or might not otherwise choose to do. Peers are people who are part

of the same social group, so the term "peer pressure" refers to the influence that

peers can have on each other.

Academic performance. The measurement of student’s achievement

across various academic subjects.

Senior High School. Refers to Grade 11 and 12, the last two year of the K

to 12 basic education program.

HUMSS. Is short for humanities and social sciences. It is an academic strand

covering various fields that deal with the exploration of the human condition using

analytical, critical, and empirical ways – and thereby studying changes in society and

human behavior.

ABM. The ABM (Accountancy, Business, and Management) Strand is designed

for students who are interested in business, finance, entrepreneurship, and accounting.

The curriculum of the ABM strand provides a strong foundation in the principles of

business and management, as well as financial and accounting concepts.

GAS. Is an acronym for General Academic Strand. It takes a general approach to

prepare students for university life. Compared to other strands, students can expect to

tackle different disciplines. This can cover various subjects and topics such as

Humanities, Management, Social Sciences, and even Organization.

Social Belongingness. The subjective feeling of inclusion or acceptance into a

group of people. This sense of community or connectedness in a social group is a basic

human need that individuals must satisfy to maintain their identity, physical well-being,

and mental health.

Education. The act or process of acquiring knowledge, especial systematically

during childhood and adolescence.

Curiosity. Having a strong desire to learn or know something.