Examining the Effects of Peer Pressure on Student-Teachers’ Academic Performance

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue IX, September 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Examining the Effects of Peer Pressure on Student-Teachers’ Academic Performance

James Kofi Tetteh, Kennedy Asenso, Mary Rosaline Ansah, John Nartey Kanamitie, Hannah Agyena-Karikari, Endurance Serwaa Lah, Derrick Nii Quarcoopome Sackey and Paul Williams Obeng
SDA College of Education, Ghana

Abstract: The impetus for human beings to be influenced by neighbours and milieus are undeniable. As peers socialize within their school environments, individuals are forced to conform to the practices, norms, mores and opinions of the group. Upon this background, the study sought to examine the effects of peer pressure on academic performance of student-teachers of S.D.A. College of Education, Asokore – Koforidua. The motivation for the study was to examine the effects of peer pressure on student-teachers of S.D.A. College of Education and it repel effects on academic performance. The study used the mixed methodological approach. Purposive sample was employed to select the level 200 students of the S.D.A. College of Education for the study because they were the only students on campus at the time of the survey. The study concluded that self-doubt and emotional development were effects of peer pressure, the fear of uncertainty in some of the student-teachers compel them to join friends who they perceive might be academically better than them. The study therefore recommended that group works should be more frequent to motivate the average students to boost their confidence. Guidance sessions should be mandatorily organized at least once in every month to work on students’ emotional control and self-esteem to improve academic performance.

Keywords: effects, peer pressure, academics,

I. INTRODUCTION

Aspirations in life can be achieved or thwarted by the influence of one’s peers. Peer pressure is occurring more and more in teens because of the fear that friends can leave them if they do not conform to the norms and values of the peer group (Rima, 2008). When starting college life, it is sometimes normal for students to feel influenced by their peers as they negotiate and manage new structures around friendships, belief systems and where they fit in. Peer pressure can cause students to do or say things they would not normally do or say. It is not always a bad thing: pressure from a student’s peers to study harder or to stand up to bullying can have positive results. But on the flip slide, some influences can be negative, such as pressure from peers to treat some people badly or to engage in risky behaviours such as smoking (Rima, 2008). This type of peer pressure can impact on students’ self-confidence and self-concept, and may isolate them from their family and friends. Corsaro (1985) mentions that as age mates especially young adults interact day after day, they invent routines that reflect age-related concerns and perceptions of the adults’ world and create a sense of group identity.

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