Peer Pressure and Academic Cheating among Higher Secondary School Students: A Correlational Study

Abstract

Academic cheating remains a concern in educational settings, and peer pressure may be associated with students’ academic behaviour. This study examined gender differences in academic cheating and peer pressure and investigated the relationship between these variables among higher secondary school students in Baripada Town, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India. A descriptive survey design was employed, involving 100 students, comprising 50 male and 50 female students, selected from two higher secondary schools. Data were collected using a self-developed Peer Pressure Scale and the Academic Cheating Scale (ACS-KK). Mean, standard deviation, independent-samples t-tests, and Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficient were used for analysis. The findings indicated no statistically significant gender differences in academic cheating or peer pressure. However, a statistically significant positive correlation was reported between peer pressure and academic cheating (r = .666, p < .01), suggesting that higher peer pressure scores were associated with higher academic cheating scores. These findings highlight the relevance of peer-group dynamics in understanding academic dishonesty and suggest that school-based academic integrity initiatives should promote ethical decision-making, positive peer relationships, and responsible academic practices. Given the study’s limited sample and correlational design, the findings should be interpreted cautiously and cannot establish a causal relationship.