CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

“Youth is the hope of our Fatherland” (Jose Rizal). To

live up to Rizal’s belief about them, they have to be well

educated with knowledge, skills and values. Thus Education

plays an important role in making them the hope of our

country.

Schools have important roles in developing the student’

academically and socially. It provides student with fertile

ground to learn how to get along with other students, aside

from the academic development, so that in the end, each

student becomes more effective member of the community. Its

social function is to provide various opportunities for

students to interact and learn to get along well with each

other.

In school, peer groups maybe a dominant factor to

consider in academic achievement and social development of the

students. When students feel they are accepted in a group,

they feel a sense of belongingness and therefore, are inclined

to conform to what the group do and believe. They call this

peer influence.

Peer influence is described as the process by which

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people are shaped by the attitudes and behaviours of those

around them. The teenage years mark the stage in life between

childhood, where parents and careers are primarily relied

upon, and adulthood, where we become largely autonomous.

Steinberg & Monahan (2007) suggest that adolescence is the

time when students are most susceptible to peer influence,

however it also provides a great opportunity to practice the

skills required to avoid influences that may be detrimental to

us, and stay true to themselves.

Study habits are the ways that you study - the habits

that you have formed during your school years. Study habits

can be good ones, or bad ones. Good study habits include being

organized, keeping good notes, reading your textbook,

listening in class, and working every day. Bad study habits

include skipping class, not doing your work, watching TV or

playing video games instead of studying, and losing your work.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_study_habits
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Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the extent of relationship

between peer influence and the extent of study habits of

Second year students of Northern Negros State College of

Science and Technology.

Specifically this study aimed to answer the following

questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the students in terms

of

1.1 Age

1.2 Sex

1.3 Civil Status

2. What is the extent of peer influence among the Second

Year BSEd students of Northern Negros State College of

Science and Technology?

3. What is the extent of study habits of Second Year BSEd

students of Northern Negros State College of Science and

Technology?
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4. Is there a significant relationship between the extent of

peer influence and the level study habits of Second Year

BSEd students of Northern Negros State College of Science

and Technology?

Hypothesis of the Study

Ho1. There is no significant relationship between the

extent of peer influence and the study habits of Second Year

BSEd students of Northern Negros State College of Science and

Technology.

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

Erikson Erikson’s Psycho-Social Theory of Development.

For adolescents, the challenge is 'identity' versus 'role

confusion’ “Teens need to develop a sense of self and personal

identity, and Erikson suggests we are intrinsically motivated

towards achieving a resolution (Kroger, 2000). According to

Erikson (1968), this search for identity often involves

exploring extremes and testing limits before choosing a life

path.

Peer pressure affects learning and motivation among

students. Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory [9] focuses on the

importance of a child's culture and notes that a child is

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continually acting in social interactions with others. [10]

The values and attitudes of the peer group are essential

elements in learning. Those who surround themselves with

academically focused peers will be more likely to internalize

this type of behavior.

  According to Howard Gardner Theory of Behavior and

Intelligence, students possess different intelligence which

affects their study skills. The kind of behavior, intellect

and study skills they can determine whether they perform well

in academics or not.

Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, focuses on the

learning that occurs within a social context. It considers

that people learn from another, including such concepts as

observational learning, imitation and modeling. “Social

learning theory explains human behavior in terms of continuous

reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and

environmental influences” (“Social Learning Theory: Bandura,”

n.d., p. 1).

Hurlock (11975:180) the influence of a group is intensified

by the person’s desire to be an accepted member of the peer

group. To achieve this desire he tries to conform in everyday

to the patterns approved by the group. When group members are

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attached to their groups, they are motivated to behave in

accordance with the wishes of the group and in ways which

would make them accepted, this motivation is attributes to

peer group influence.

Peer influence on behavior gradually develops and become

more dominant. Harris (1998, 2002) & Rowe (1994) maintained

that peer groups have even stronger influence than that of

parents although that extreme position has been refuted by

other researcher (Berk 2005). The peer group can influence

what the child values, knows, wears, eats and learns. The

extent of this influence however depends on other situational

constraints, such as the age and personality of children and

the nature of the group (Harris, 1998, Hartup, 1983)

Conceptual Diagram

Demographic (Peer (Study Relationship

Profile of Influence Habits between the
the Survey Invento extent of
respondents Tool) ry peer
Age: Tool) influence and
Gender: Extent of Extent the extent of
Civil Peer of study habits
status: Influence Study of Second
Habits Year BSEd
students of
Northern
Negros State
College of
Science and
Technology
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Fig. 1 Schematic Diagram of Conceptual Framework

Significance of the Study

This study is important in order to answer and take

action to the challenges that peer influence may bring to the

lives of students of NONESCOST.

The results of the study will be important to:

A. Students. Students’ awareness of peers’ positive and

negative influence will help them choose which friends

they must associate with and serve them as a support

system in his/her studies.

B. Parents. Parents knowing the kind of friends and the

influence that they bring to their children will help

them use strategies to deal better with their children

and eventually motivate their children to choose their

friends.

C. Teachers. Teachers as the second parents of students,

and knowing the prevailing peer pressures, will be

able to design innovative strategies that will

actively engage peer groups in more productive and

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useful activities in school, such as organizing study

circles or peer tutorials.

D. School Administrator. The results of the study will

provide useful information to the School

Administrators in designing student activities that

will build a positive support system between and among

students, faculty and school officials, and eventually

improve the study habits of the students.

Scope and Limitation

The study measured the levels of peer influence and the

levels of study habits of Second Year student in Bachelor of

Secondary Education major in Physical Sciences of NONESCOST.

Definition of Terms

Age. Age is conceptually defined as the length of time that

an organism has existed. Operationally, this refers a gap

of particular stage in respondent’s life.

Conformity. Conforming is conceptually defined as complying

with rules, standard, and laws. Operationally refers to

the action act upon by respondents which they feel

belongingness within the group.

Demographic Profile. Demographic Profile is conceptually

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refers to the study of the structure of human population

using statistics relating to births, deaths, wealth,

disease and etc. Operationally define to the profile of

respondents or a short descriptive status of respondents.

Detrimental. Detrimental is conceptually refers to harm,

causing damage or disadvantage. Operationally refers to

the harm brought by peer influence of the respondents.

Peer. Peer is conceptually defined as a person of the same

age, status, or ability as another specified person.

Operationally refers to the belongingness of the

respondents with the same interests and abilities.

Peer Influence. Peer influence is conceptually refers to the

influence from members of one’s peer group. Operationally

refers to the belongingness of the respondents in a group

with the same statuses, ability and interests.

Sex. Sex is conceptually refers to the two categories; male

or female into which human and most other living things

are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions.

Operationally refers to the physical distinction of

respondents either male or female.

Study Habits. Study Habits is conceptually defined as a

regular tendency or practice of time and attention to

acquire knowledge. Operationally refers to a practice of

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the respondent in acquiring knowledge with time regularly.