“PEER INFLUENCE: THE EFFECT OF PEER GROUP TOWARDS THE DECISION-MAKING OF 2ND YEAR AB POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENT”
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Course: Bachelor of Science in Psychology- II
Names: Balmes, Sharmaine D.
Dagohoy , Jasmine D.
Jalocon, Clarice P.
Abstract:
Introduction
Group influence occurs when one's emotions, opinions, or behaviors are affected by others. Group influence takes many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, leadership, and persuasion. The actions, reactions, and thoughts of an individual are influenced by other people or groups. A useful framework of analysis of group influence on the individual is the so called reference ...view middle of the document...
Peers with similar interests, similar academic standing, and enjoy doing the same things tend to gravitate towards each other. So while it seems that teens and their friends become very similar to each other through peer influence, much of that similarity was present to begin with. (http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=837,2007)
The present study sought to examine more closely how peer group involvement, affects the decision making of the 2nd year AB Political Science student of University of Batangas. The findings and recommendations of this study can be use in determining the possible effects on how an individual influence by his or her peer group.
The researchers used Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) as a guide to this study. (SCT) refers to a psychological model of behavior that emerged primarily from the work of Albert Bandura (1977;1986). This focuses on modeling and observation on as mode of learning. The researchers believe that adolescents who are in the stage of identity confession will more likely conform on copy whatever their peers are doing.
Review of Related Literature
The researchers present the related literature readings gathered and obtained from books, internet, unpublished research and other researchers. These readings had been found to be relevant and significant to the present study. This chapter also provides the importance of the reviewed readings in order to present the relationship of the study of literature and studies referred to.
According to Hackman (2012), the effects of groups on individuals in organizations are reviewed. Special attention is given to ways groups affect individual behavior indirectly by influencing the informational and the affective states of group members, and direct group influences on individual behavior through the development and enforcement of group norms. Implications of these processes are drawn for individual work effectiveness on various types of tasks or jobs, and the health and effectiveness of the group as a whole.
Peers in a group would vary in the strength of influences on individuals, and individuals would vary in the openness to peer influences. Shi (2011)
According to Black (2002), peer groups provide a forum where teens construct and reconstruct their identities. Teenagers learn about what is acceptable in their social group by “reading” their friends’ reactions to how they act, what they wear, and what they say. The peer group gives this potent feedback by their words and actions, which either encourages or discourages certain behaviors and attitudes. Anxiety can arise when teens try to predict how peers will react, and this anxiety plays a large role in peer influence. (Heck , 2008)
Peer relationships provide a context not only for the acquisition and maintenance of friendships and friendship networks but also for the development of key social skills, social problem solving skills, and empathy.
Peer relationships are not...
