PEER GROUP RELATIONSHIP AND IT'S INFLUENCE ON LEARNING IN SOME SELECTED JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AGEGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE
Creators: name: Udoyen, Prince
name: Greenresearchng
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: subject: Peer Influence
subject: Peer Group
subject: School
subject: School Teachers
subject: School life
subject: Learning
subject: Active learning
subject: Reinforcement learning
subject: Association Learning
subject: Learning/classification

description: ABSTRACT

This study examines the influence of peer group relationships on learning among junior secondary school students in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State. The research investigates the extent to which peer interactions affect students' academic achievement, attitudes toward learning, and the role of gender in moderating these influences. The study is anchored in social learning theory and ecological perspectives, emphasizing the role of social interactions in shaping educational experiences. Employing a descriptive survey design, the study sampled 150 students from three junior secondary schools using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including t-tests and chi-square tests, to determine the significance of peer influence on learning outcomes. The findings reveal that students who engage in academically supportive peer relationships demonstrate significantly higher academic performance than their counterparts with weaker peer associations (p = 0.001). Additionally, peer influence is strongly correlated with students' attitudes toward learning, with those in positive peer groups exhibiting greater motivation and engagement (p = 0.004). Furthermore, gender differences were observed, with female students benefiting more from collaborative peer learning environments than male students (p = 0.007). These results reinforce existing literature that highlights the dual nature of peer influence—both as a facilitator of academic success and a potential contributor to negative learning behaviors. The study concludes that peer group relationships play a critical role in shaping students’ academic experiences and recommends the implementation of peer mentorship programs, collaborative learning strategies, gender-specific interventions, and active parental and teacher involvement in monitoring peer influences. The study contributes to the growing body of research on peer influence in education and suggests further investigation into digital peer interactions, subject-specific peer effects, and the long-term impact of peer relationships on academic achievement.

Keywords: Peer relationships, academic achievement, student attitudes, gender differences, social learning, secondary education, Nigeria.
description: Abstract 

CHAPTER ONE 

INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Background to the Study 

1.2 Statement of the Problem 

1.3 Objectives of the Study 

1.4 Research Questions 

1.5 Research Hypotheses 

1.6 Significance of the Study 

1.7 Scope of the Study 

1.8 Definition of Terms 

CHAPTER TWO 

LITERATURE REVIEW 

2.1 Concept of Peer Group Relationship 

2.2 Influence of Peer Groups on Academic Performance 

2.3 Positive and Negative Effects of Peer Relationships on Learning 

2.4 Factors Affecting Peer Influence in Secondary Schools 

2.5 Theoretical Framework on Peer Influence and Learning 

2.6. Empirical Studies on Peer Relationships and Learning Outcomes 

2.7 Summary of Literature Review 

CHAPTER THREE 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 

3.1 Research Design 

3.2 Population of the Study 

3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Technique 

3.4 Instrumentation 

3.5 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 

3.6 Method of Data Collection 

3.7 Method of Data Analysis 

3.8 Ethical Considerations 

CHAPTER FOUR 

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION 

4.1 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents 

4.2 Analysis of Research Questions 

4.3 Testing of Research Hypotheses 

4.4 Discussion of Findings 

CHAPTER FIVE 

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

5.1 Summary of Findings 

5.3 Recommendations 

Questionnaire