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Social Contexts: Peers. Peer group: A collection of individuals approximately equal in age, social status, ability, and other characteristics . The Nature of Peer Relations. Peer Group Functions Family-Peer Linkages Peer Conformity Peer Statuses. What is a “crowd”?.
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Social Contexts: Peers Peer group: A collection of individuals approximately equal in age, social status, ability, and other characteristics.
The Nature of Peer Relations • Peer Group Functions • Family-Peer Linkages • Peer Conformity • Peer Statuses
What is a “crowd”? • Consists of individuals who act similarly, share the “reputation” of the group, but why may not interact with one another most of the time; crowd functions to organize social activities; provides a venue for peer interactions.
What is a “clique”? • A small group of friends which has greater interpersonal intimacy and cohesion than a crowd. Function is talking, sharing information, etc.
Theoretical views • Erikson • Piaget • Elkind • Kohlberg • Bandura • W. Hartup & T. Berndt • B.B. Brown
Stages of Peer Group Development • Stage 1: Precrowd; isolated unisex cliques. • Stage 2: Beginning of crowd; cliques begin to interact. • Stage 3: Crowd in transition; heterosexual pairing. • Stage 4: Fully developed crowd. • Stage 5: Crowd disentegration.
Peers’ influences are • multidimensional • subtle • take different forms, depending upon the organization of the peer group. • more significant among younger adolescents • more influential for “neutral” behaviors
Friendship • Companionship • Stimulation • Physical Support • Ego Support • Social Comparison • Intimacy/affection The Function of Friendships
Benefits of friendships • Increase self-esteem and self-confidence • increase perspective-taking skills • facilitate social skills • foster sense of belonging • lead to good psychosocial adjustment • leads to good academic achievement