Peer Relationships During AdolescencePeers are important from early childhood on!Peers have special significance during adolescenceThe role of peers in adolescents’ livesCharacteristics of Adolescent Peer RelationshipsSlide 6PopularityAggressionSlide 9Changing the school climatePeer Relationships During Peer Relationships During AdolescenceAdolescencePeers are important from early childhood on!Peers are important from early childhood on!Peers have special significance Peers have special significance during adolescenceduring adolescenceOver the course of adolescence, time with peers Over the course of adolescence, time with peers increases, while time with parents decreasesincreases, while time with parents decreasesGradually includes more and more opposite sex peers Gradually includes more and more opposite sex peers over timeover timePeers are very influentialPeers are very influentialIdentity developmentIdentity developmentCognitive and moral developmentCognitive and moral developmentActivity selection & academic achievementActivity selection & academic achievementAntisocial and delinquent behaviorAntisocial and delinquent behaviorThe role of peers in The role of peers in adolescents’ livesadolescents’ livesPeers can fill “gaps” left by family of originPeers can fill “gaps” left by family of originPeers give practice inPeers give practice inEstablishing intimate relationshipsEstablishing intimate relationshipsResolving conflict Resolving conflict Understanding social dynamics of larger groupsUnderstanding social dynamics of larger groupsCharacteristics of Adolescent Characteristics of Adolescent Peer RelationshipsPeer RelationshipsMany adolescents belong to at least one Many adolescents belong to at least one cliquecliqueClique:Clique: small group of mutual friends, can be quite exclusive small group of mutual friends, can be quite exclusiveTend to be similar in interests, age, gender, ethnicity, risk behaviorsTend to be similar in interests, age, gender, ethnicity, risk behaviorsMuch of peer socializing occurs in context of cliquesMuch of peer socializing occurs in context of cliquesCliques change, but an individual’s propensity to be in a clique stays constantCliques change, but an individual’s propensity to be in a clique stays constantCliques move from same to mixed sex by late adolescence/emerging adulthoodCliques move from same to mixed sex by late adolescence/emerging adulthoodMaryJillBobMarkMarthaMaryJen AmberKatieSusieMarthaMartha’s clique in 9th gradeMartha’s clique in 12th gradeCharacteristics of Adolescent Characteristics of Adolescent Peer RelationshipsPeer RelationshipsAdolescents also belong to crowdsAdolescents also belong to crowdshttp://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/154308http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/154308Larger, reputation based groups Larger, reputation based groups Not necessarily friends with every crowd member, but share common group identityNot necessarily friends with every crowd member, but share common group identityCrowds very central to identity development and self conceptCrowds very central to identity development and self conceptE.g., Preppies, Druggies, Gothics, Populars – these labels and images associated with E.g., Preppies, Druggies, Gothics, Populars – these labels and images associated with labels can result in bias from both peers and adultslabels can result in bias from both peers and adultsClose friends may or may not belong to same crowd, but typically belong to same Close friends may or may not belong to same crowd, but typically belong to same cliquecliquePopularity Popularity You can be rated as popular and also be not well liked!You can be rated as popular and also be not well liked!Perceived popularity: Classmates say that you are popularPerceived popularity: Classmates say that you are popularMixed results for outcomesMixed results for outcomesSocially skilled, but also at risk for substance use and aggressionSocially skilled, but also at risk for substance use and aggressionSociometric popularity: Classmates say that they like youSociometric popularity: Classmates say that they like youGood outcomes, high achievers, socially skilledGood outcomes, high achievers, socially skilled““Friendless” and frequently “victimized” puts adolescents at risk, Friendless” and frequently “victimized” puts adolescents at risk, not being “unpopular”not being “unpopular”Social skills training can be very helpful Social skills training can be very helpfulAggressionAggressionAggressive behavior a real concern in today’s secondary schoolsAggressive behavior a real concern in today’s secondary schoolsHard to focus on learning when school safety is an issueHard to focus on learning when school safety is an issueAggression influenced by multiple biological, cognitive, social, and Aggression influenced by multiple biological, cognitive, social, and emotional factorsemotional factorsAggressive behavior associated with distorted pattern of thinking Aggressive behavior associated with distorted pattern of thinking about social relationshipsabout social relationshipsAggressive youth, compared to peersAggressive youth, compared to peersMore likely to believe that aggression is “OK”More likely to believe that aggression is “OK”More likely to believe that aggression will result in positive outcomesMore likely to believe that aggression will result in positive outcomesMore likely to believe peers’ intentions are hostile More likely to believe peers’ intentions are hostile Hostile attributional biasHostile attributional biasAggressionAggressionMore than one type of aggressionMore than one type of aggression““Relational aggression” Relational aggression” Aggression via manipulation of social relationships (e.g., gossip, Aggression via manipulation of social relationships (e.g., gossip, exclusion)exclusion)Use as aggressive strategy rises with ageUse as aggressive strategy rises with ageMost common aggressive strategy among aggressive girlsMost common aggressive strategy among aggressive girlsContributes to hostile school environment and adolescent Contributes to hostile school environment and adolescent adjustment problemsadjustment