Introduction for Panelist:
Good day! Today, we will be discussing The Role of Peer
Definition of terms
Influence in Choosing a Senior High School Strand
Peer influence - refers to the impact that people of the
Among Grade 10 Students at Gen. Tomas Mascardo
same age group, social
National High School. This conversation will focus on
status, or group identity have on an individual's
how peer pressure affects students’ decisions when
attitudes, behaviors, and decision-
selecting between strands like STEM, ABM, HUMSS, and
making. This influence can be direct, such as through
others in the K-12 curriculum.
encouragement or pressure,
or indirect, like observing and emulating the actions of
Rationale:
peers. In this study, peer
Selecting a senior high school strand is a serious influence is explored and examined in relation to career
decision for Grade 10 students at Gen. Tomas Mascardo decision-making.
National High School, as it will determine their future
profession. Peer pressure has become a significant Peers are individuals who are usually in the same age
factor influencing these choices, especially when group or sharecommoncharacteristics, or experiences
considering the various strands offered, such as STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Decision-Making the process of making choices by
ABM (Accountancy, Business, and Management), identifying a decision, gatheringinformation, and
HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences), and others assessing alternative resolutions.
under the K-12 curriculum. Understanding how peer
influence impacts these decisions can help guide Strand -The goal of senior high school courses is to
students toward making more informed and equip students with skills that can help them thrive
independent choices regarding their academic and in further education. Moving to collegiate-level
career pathways studies has shown to be overwhelming in many
aspects therefore being prepared in academics can
Theoretical Framework Introduction:
lessen the pressures of tertiary education. By
This theory explores the significant impact of peer understanding the basics of the careers students
influence on students' choices of academic strands in want to pursue, they’re investing in their future
high school. It suggests that the actions, decisions, and and challenging themselves by exploring their
successes of peers can open up new pathways, capabilities in solving real-world problems.
encouraging students to explore options or take risks.
Social interactions, norms, and the opinions of those KEY CONCEPTS
within a student's circle can greatly shape their Why we conducted this research?
preferences. For example, a student may be influenced This research was conducted to understand the impact
to choose a strand simply because they admire of peer influence on Grade 10 students' decisions about
someone who has succeeded in it, even if they aren't their senior high school strands, aiming to provide
personally passionate about it. better support and guidance for students in making
This phenomenon, known as conformity, occurs when independent and informed choices, ultimately helping
individuals adjust their behavior and decisions to align them navigate this crucial decision.
with the group. In this context, a group of friends might
all select the same strand, even if one student lacks the Significance of the study
skills or interest, simply because they feel pressured to -This study is significant as its findings can equip
conform. Understanding this theory sheds light on how students with the knowledge and understanding
peer or social influence can significantly affect students' needed to make more informed decisions about
decisions when choosing their senior high school strand. choosing a strand in senior high school and minimizing
the negative impact of peer influence in their
educational journey.
Objectives: Determine the extent of peer influence on
Relevance of the study Grade 10 students' senior high school strand selection
- This study is relevant because it delves into the crucial at Gen. Tomas mascardo national high school Assess the
decision-making process of senior high school strand correlation between peer influence and student choices
selection, a choice that significantly impacts students' for senior high school strands.
future academic and career paths. Understand how does peer influence significantly affect
the grade 10 student in choosing a strand for senior
Purpose of the study high school Keywords sentence:
-is to investigate the role of peer influence in shaping
Grade 10 students' decisions regarding senior high Rationale: - The study focuses on understanding how
school strand selection at Gen. Tomas Mascardo peer influence affects Grade 10 students at Gen. Tomas
National High School. The study aims to determine the Mascardo National High School when they choose their
correlation between peer influence and student senior high school strand, particularly within the K-12
choices, providing recommendations for educators, curriculum. And
counselors, and parents on how to better address peer This research aims to contribute to a deeper
influence and support students in making informed understanding of peer influence in academic decision-
decisions aligned with their individual interests and making in choosing a strand
aspirations.
Background of the Study:
Gap of the study - Peer influence plays a critical role in shaping career
- Our research bridges the gap in existing knowledge by choices, especially during the transition to senior high
investigating the impact of peer influence on senior high school when Grade 10 students face the crucial decision
school strand selection within the context of the K-12 of selecting a strand that aligns with their abilities and
curriculum in Grade 10 students in General tomas future plans.
mascardo national high school - - Many students rely heavily on peer influence, which
The study addresses a critical gap in the literature by can lead to choosing strands that don't necessarily
examining the specific factors and dynamics influencing match their true abilities or career goals, highlighting
peer influence on senior high school strand selection the need for greater understanding and support during
within the specific context of Gen. Tomas Mascardo this formative period.
National High School, providing valuabls challenges
faced by students in mascardo in choosing a senior high Scope and delimitation
school strand The scope of this study encompasses a sample of 150
Grade 10 students at Gen. Tomas Mascardo National
Basis of this study: High School during the 2024-2025 academic year,
Social Influence Theory: This theory posits that focusing on the influence of peers in senior high school
individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are strand selection using a quantitative approach through
influenced by the people around them, particularly surveys.
those within their social groups. This is central to the the study is delimited to Grade 10 students only,
study, as it provides the theoretical underpinning for excluding other grade levels and sections Furthermore,
understanding how peers can impact student decisions the study relies solely on a quantitative approach
through surveys and does not incorporate qualitative
Vanshika Basoya's Social Cognitive Theory provides a methods like interviews. The data collection period is
valuable framework for understanding how peer restricted to the academic year 2024-2025.
influence, specifically through observation and
modeling, impacts students' decisions about their senior Theoretical Framework: -
high school strands, highlighting both the positive and Social Influence Theory explains how the actions,
negative aspects of peer influence and the crucial role decisions, and outcomes of peers can influence
of self-efficacy in navigating these pressures. students' strand choices, highlighting the power of
social norms and conformity in shaping individual
preferences. formative period carry significant weight, influencing
- Vanshika Basoya's Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes not only their future professional lives but also their
the role of observation and modeling, self-efficacy, and personal growth “Influence occurs when an individual
environmental factors in shaping students' choices and acts or thinks in ways that he or she might not
behavior, highlighting the importance of peer otherwise act or think, an effect that can be attributed
influences. to experiences with friends and affiliates” (Laursen,
2018, p. 447). Thus, peer influence is defined as
Significance of the study - This study has significant instances where one person affects, or is affected by,
implications for students by providing valuable insights one other or multiple others who are similar in age.
into peer influence and its impact on their educational
choices, contributing to the development of more
This pressure toalignwithpeers can create significant
personalized educational programs that foster student
uncertainty and anxiety about future choices,
motivation and success.
emphasizingthe urgent need for early and well-
significance of the study contribution of the sutyf this
informed decision-making processes that
study- contribution- people na magbebenefit
empowerstudents to navigate their career options
thoughtfully and authentically, freefromundue influence
This reliability of this questionis makaka help siya na i
(Mmeteri, 2020).]
determine Yung mga internal consistency ng mga
responses, at sinissgurado na Yung mga ay scale
accurately na minemeasure Ang peer influence para sa
students
A similar study by Burns et al. (2000) affirmed that peer
groups give potent feedback by their words and actions,
which either encourages or discourages certain
behaviour and attitudes. In addition, Burns et al. (2000)
stated that self-conscious teenagers worry about how
others react to their actions;
The additional two years from the old educational
system is commonly referred to as the Senior High
School. During this stage, the learners will take core
courses and career pathways. The SHS program consists
of different tracks, strands and specializations that
learners may choose from depending on their aptitude,
interests, and the capability and capacity of the school
(Braza & Guillo, Jr., 2015).
Thus, the K-12 program was primarily implemented in
order to lessen the “misfit” graduates and produce
lifelong learners who have mastered the necessary
concepts and skills in preparation for tertiary education,
middle-level skills development, employment, and
entrepreneurship (DepEd Order No. 43 s. 2013).
Peer influence plays an important role in shaping career
choices, particularly at this critical stage of students'
academic journeys, where they facethedaunting task of
transitioning into adulthood and determining their
professional paths. The decisions made during this