ENGLISH SBA

Peer Pressure

Factors That influence Peer Pressure

Year of Exam: 2021

Candidate: D’Jani Thompson
Centre Number: 100385
Candidate number:1003851417
Center: The Cedar Grove Academy
Teacher: Teacher Barnett
Territory: Jamaica
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

Plan of Investigation……………………………………………………… 3

Evidence 1………………………………………………………………… 4-5

Evidence 2…………………………………………………………………. 6

Evidence 3………………………………………………………………….. 7

Reflection 1………………………………………………………………… 8

Reflection 2………………………………………………………………… 9

Reflection 3…………………………………………………………………. 10

Oral Piece…………………………………………………………………… 11-12

Group report………………………………………………………………… 13-14

Reference……………………………………………………………………... 15
 PLAN OF INVESTIGATION

The topic I chose for my research is Peer Pressure because it felt germane. I wanted to ascertain the

different factors that influence peer pressure and why people fall prey to them. As a student of English

Language, I intend to expand and apply my vocabulary, improve problem-solving skills and ameliorate

my ability to identify grammatical errors and use literary devices. During my research I intend to

acquire a diverse knowledge of all the varying factors that influence peer pressure and how to identify

and overcome them. My three pieces of evidence will be online journal article, newspaper article and a

video.
 Evidence 1

Online Journal Article

Peer influence is when you choose to do something you would not otherwise do, because you want to

feel accepted and valued by your friends. It isn’t just or always about doing something against your

will. You might hear the term ‘peer pressure’ used a lot. But peer influence is a better way to describe

how teenagers behaviour is shaped by wanting to feel they belong to a group of friends or peers. Peer

pressure and influence can be positive. For example, your child might be influenced to become more

assertive, try new activities, or to get more involved with school, but it can be negative too. Some

teenagers might choose to try things they normally would not be interested in, like smoking or

behaving in antisocial ways. Peer pressure and influence might result in children: choosing the same

clothes, hairstyle or jewellery as their friends, listening to the same music or watching the same TV

shows as their friends, changing the way they talk or the words they use, doing risky things or breaking

rules, working harder at school, or not working as hard and dating or participating in sexual

activities. It is only human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your age group. Peer

pressure is defined as the social pressure by members of one’s peer group to take a certain action, adopt

certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted. Peer Pressure can be a huge problem for

some young adults. It can sometimes be positive, but most of the time its negative and destructive.
Depending on the persons social group, peer pressure represents social influences that effect

adolescents. The stress of wanting to belong can lead to reckless behavior. In order to understand peer

pressure, it is important to identify risk factors involved. Risk factors are any circumstances that may

increase the likelihood of youths’ engaging in risky behaviors. Risk factors have been identified within

individuals, family environments, schools, peer or social relationships and the community. Individual

risk factors include anti-social behavior, anxiety or depression, rebelliousness. Family risk factors

include divorce, uninvolved parents, negative communication, unclear rules and expectations. School

risk factors include academic failure, school transitions, negative labeling, truancy, and low

commitment to school. Peer risk factors include associating with those who use drugs, rejection, and

gang involvement. Community risk factors include permissive laws, drug availability, lack of

meaningful roles, and low socioeconomic status. It is also important to note that exposure to many risk

factors has a cumulative effect and reckless behavior.

References

Little, E. (2019, 1 10). Peer influence and peer pressure. Retrieved from
https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/behaviour/peers-friends-trends/peer-influence