Podložnost vršnjackom pritisku i samopoštovanje kod studenata
Susceptibility to Peer Pressure and Self-Esteem

Summary/Abstract: Peer influence is inevitable and important part of growing up, one's identity development and forming behavioral habits. Peer relations become more important during the adolescence and there is an increasing need for an adolescent to do what his/her peers are demanding from him/her. Peer pressure can be defined as group influence through rewards to those who conform to group norms and/or sanctions to those who resist them. The aim of this paper is to determine domains of the highest and the lowest susceptibility to peer pressure, compare results of peer pressure of undergraduate students with high school students, examine gender differences and explore relation between students’ susceptibility to peer pressure and self-esteem. The research has been conducted among 654 undergraduates from University of Zagreb, 47% male students and 53% female students. Two questionnaires have been applied: Peer pressure questionnaire and Self liking competence scale (SLCS; authors Tafarodi i Swann, 1995). The highest susceptibility to peer pressure was demonstrated in the areas regarding forming self-image through judgement of relevant others in our surrounding. The lowest susceptibility to peer pressure is experienced at manifested risk behavior, especially sexual behavior. Susceptibility to peer pressure is more expressed among high school students comparing to undergraduates’ sample. According to gender, male respondents have shown more significant experience of peer pressure in manifested risk behavior. Correlation between susceptibility to peer pressure and self-esteem was unexpectedly low.

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