The present study examines consequences of high peer pressure on academic performance in mathematics among 14-year-old middle-school
students in Germany, Canada, and Israel. Its core assumption is that students with very high abilities in mathematics underachieve
in order to avoid social exclusion (in the form of being called, e.g., nerds) in their schools. Altogether almost 1,700 students
were surveyed in the three cultures. Findings of the study make it obvious that—concerning achievement in mathematics—the
primary victims of peer pressure in middle school are girls, boys more likely than girls being the perpetrators. High individual
preferences of achievement values can buffer effects of peer pressure. However, from a pedagogical point of view it may nevertheless
seem an option to teach mathematics in mono-gender courses, in order to improve the chances of both girls and boys to show
an academic performance that concurs with their real competence.
Keywords Peer Pressure - Underachievement - Cross-cultural - Mathematical achievement - Germany - Canada - Israel - Middle school students - Bullying