Influence of Peer Pressure on Decision–making in Academic Performance

Abstract

The current research examined how peer pressure affects decision making and academic results of students. Adolescence and early adulthood are the periods of development where peer relationship is influential in major role of determining behavioral and academic performance. The research design was the quantitative correlational research design to explore the associations between peer pressure, decision-making and academic performance. The number of students who took part in the study was 100. The Academic Performance Scale, the Questionnaire of Peer Pressure Scale (Revised) and the General Decision-making Questionnaire were the instruments used to gather the data. The correlation of the variables was analysed using Pearson Product- Moment Correlation. The result showed that decision-making and academic performance have a medium positive statistically significant association, meaning that the students with more effective decision-making tendencies are more likely to perform better academically. There was also a positive and significant relationship between peer pressure and academic performance that peer influence can have a positive influence provided it is consistent with academic objectives. Nonetheless, peer pressure and its relation to decision-making was not found to be statistically significant. The findings indicate that social and cognitive factors play a crucial role in determining academic performance. The research indicates that there is a necessity to conduct educational interventions that foster positive peer atmosphere and reinforce decision-making skills of students to improve academic performance.