Behavioural Changes of Students By Peer Pressure in the Higher Educational Institution in context to Popularity in North East, India

Human behaviour, the potential and expressed capacity for physical, mental, and social activity during the phases of human life. Change in human behaviour is the only static trait characterised by physical, mental and physiological features. It occurs in different phases of life from play age to old age. The outcome of these changes is due to education, advising, commanding, and appealing to values and peer pressure. Out of all the possible mentioned factors peer pressure is one of the most important, especially in regard to students in higher education. Peer pressure means pressure from one's peers to behave in a manner similar or acceptable to them. Peer group encourages positive as well as negative vibes. This study is an attempt to understand the impacts of peer pressure that lead to behavioural changes in the students of Higher Educational Institutions, in an effort to face the lure of popularity. It is based on data collected through questionnaires, telephonic interview and observation method conducted across different colleges of Dharmanagar, Routa, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Shillong, Agartala, Kolkata, Siliguri and Guwahati city. The study further attempts to put forward suggestions towards managing peer pressure and the role of teachers and parents in this regard.