CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
Adolescence is the transitory period the individual passes through in his /her growth from childhood to Adulthood. Studies have shown that the period consists of pressure which may be either internal or external to the young adult (Adams, 2006 & Schneider, 2010). Besides being a transitory period, they posited that it is a time of self-definition for the young individual.
In contemporary society, peer group influences have become increasingly pronounced and studies have shown that adolescents were more likely to increase behaviour that receives peer group approval (Arnett, 1992; De Vries et al., 1995; Allen et al., 2005; Clark & Loheac, 2007). Adolescents spend far more time in the exclusive company of their peers than their counter parts did in the past. Changes in the family roles that forced women into paid jobs have greatly reduced the quality time families spend together thus making peer groups a viable alternative for the young individuals (Clark & Loheac, 2007). Peer groups appear to answer adolescents concerns about many things including their changing bodies. According to Schneider (2010) becoming a peer group member meets many adolescents concerns about social expectations such as developing independence from their parents, learning decision-making skills and acting on their own. However, these young teenagers find social expectations confusing and the ways of achieving them even more challenging. Peer influence on adolescents has been reported as being shrouded in myths and fear by parents. Parents perceive peer influence as a clog in the wheel of socializing their children desirably (Schneider, 2010).
According to You (2011) perceived support from peers gives adolescent students a sense of motivation which enables them to see the importance of pursuing academic success This is because adolescents who are accepted by their peers are more likely to be psychologically healthier and self-confident than those rejected by their peers (Allen et al., 2005). However, Kiran-Esen (2012) reported significantly negative relationship between peer pressure and self-efficacy expectation (social and moral) in adolescents and that academic self-efficacy was higher in adolescents who were experiencing low level of peer pressure. As such, this study seeks to investigate how peer pressure influences adolescents’ social behavior in secondary school students.
1.1 Background of the Study
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1.2 Statement of Research Problem
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1.3 Objectives of the Study
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1.4 Significance of the Study
The outcome of this research work will be of beneficial help to adolescents among the secondary schools and beyond as it will highlight the core reasons to adolescents behavioral problems among groups in secondary schools, and how to reduce the extent at which group pressure influence adolescents behavior. The analysis and hypothesis, will tell if group pressure influence adolescents behavioral status negatively or positively.
Education policy makers, in the Ministry of Education and Sports, school administrators and members of boards of governors could use the findings of this study to make guidelines and policies to help students to be more responsible and successful in school by setting rules and guidelines prohibiting the use of alcohol in school premises.
The research will also be beneficial to the researcher. This is because the study will expose the researcher to so many related areas in the course of carrying out his research. This will enhance the researcher’s experience, knowledge and understanding on group pressure and its influence on adolescents.
1.5 Research Question
For the course of this research work, some basic research question was formulated, for the easy assessment and understanding of this research work. Question formulated are;
1 To what extent does peer group pressure correlate with adolescent's behavioral problems
2 To assess the extent of influence of peer group pressure on adolescent's behavioral problems in Nigeria secondary schools
3 To examine whether peer pressure will influence the gender of the adolescent I.e. whether age will be an influential factor
4 Is there any gender difference in the extent of peer group influence on adolescent's behavioral problems?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
Two research hypothesis will be used in this study, the hypothesis will be tested using 0.5 degree of significance. Research hypothesis are:
- H-Null - There is significant influence of group pressure on behavioral problems of the adolescents.
H-Alt - There is no significant influence of group pressure on behavioral problems of the adolescents.
- H-Null - There is significant difference to the extent of peer group influence on adolescent's behavioral problems in gender (male and female).
H-Alt - There is no significant difference to the extent of peer group influence on adolescent's behavioral problems in gender (male and female).
- H-Null - There is significant difference between peer pressure and examination malpractice.
H-Alt - There is no significant difference between peer pressure and examination malpractice
- H-Null - There is significant relationship between peer group pressure on adolescent’s behavioral problems and sexual risk behavior.
H-Alt – There is no significant difference between peer group pressure on adolescent’s behavioral problems and sexual risk behavior.
1.7 Limitation of the study
During the course of performing/researching this project work, the researcher encountered a lot of challenges as well as opposition which ranges from financial constraints, time factor, sourcing of material etc. this factors in their own ways, slowed down the speedy progress of this work that resulted to the researcher not being able to finish the research work on time as is required
1.8 Definition of terms
Adolescents – young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years
Influence – The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.
Peer Pressure – When groups or pear try to influence how one act, to get one to do something out of his well due to the pears opium.
References
ADAMS, A. (2006). Developmental changes in conformity to peers and parents.
Developmental Psychology, 15 (6), 608-616.
ALLEN, J.P., PORTER, M.R., MCFARLAND, F.C., MARSH, P. &
MCELHANEY, K.B. (2005). The two faces of adolescents’ success with
peers: adolescents popularity, social adaptation and deviant behaviour.
Child Development 76 (3), 747-760.
ARNETT, J. (1992). Reckless behavior in adolescence: adaptive perspective.
Developmental Review 12 (4), 339-373.
CLARK, A.E. & LOHEAC, Y. (2007). “It wasn’t me, it was them!” social
influence in risky behavior by adolescents. Journal of Health Economics
26 (4), 763-784.
DE VRIES, H., BACKBIER, E., KOK, G. & DIJKSTRA, M. (1995). The impact
of social influences in the context of attitude, self-efficacy, intention and
previous behavior as predictors of smoking onset. Journal of Applied
Social Psychology 25 (3), 237-257.
GIFFORD-SMITH, M., DODGE, K.A. DISHION, T.J. & MCCORD, J. (2005).
Peer influence in children and adolescents: crossing the bridge from
development to intervention science. Journal of Abnormal Child
Psychology 33 (3), 225-265.
