Chapter 15: Peers, Media and Schooling

Question 1

Nonsocial Activity

Answer 1

Unoccupied, onlooker behavior.
Solitary play without interacting with others.

Question 2

Parallel Play

Answer 2

Playing near other children with similar materials.
No attempt to influence or interact with others.

Question 3

Associative Play

Answer 3

Separate activities with some interaction.
Sharing toys or commenting on others’ play.

Question 4

Cooperative Play

Answer 4

Advanced interaction focused on a common goal.
Examples: Acting out make-believe themes or collaborating on a task.

Question 5

Rough-and-Tumble Play

Answer 5

Friendly chasing, wrestling, and play-fighting.
Common among children, especially boys.
Helps assess strength and establish social bonds.
Declines in adolescence; can shift toward aggression or dominance behavior.

Question 6

Dominance Hierarchy

Answer 6

A stable ranking of group members based on social power.
Predicts outcomes of conflicts in a group.
Established through arguments, threats, or rough-and-tumble play.
Reduces hostility once hierarchies are formed, especially in boys.

Question 7

What are friendships?

Answer 7

Friendships are close relationships involving companionship, mutual liking, and a desire to spend time together. They evolve with age, contributing uniquely to emotional and social development

Question 8

What defines “Friendship as a Handy Playmate” (4–7 years)?

Answer 8

Friendship is based on playing together and sharing toys.
Friendships are short-term and can dissolve over small disputes.
Example: “You’re my best friend today” but not after a disagreement.

Question 9

What defines “Friendship as Mutual Trust and Assistance” (8–10 years)?

Answer 9

Friendship becomes more complex and emotionally based.
Trust and mutual help are key elements.
Acts of kindness and reliability strengthen the bond.
Violations of trust, like gossiping, are serious breaches.

Question 10

What defines “Friendship as Intimacy, Mutual Understanding, and Loyalty” (11–15+ years)?

Answer 10

Friendships involve psychological closeness and mutual understanding.
Loyalty and emotional support are central.
Friendships endure conflicts unless extreme breaches occur.
Example: “You can tell them anything, and they won’t leave you.”

Question 11

What is peer acceptance?

Answer 11

Peer acceptance refers to likability—how well a child is viewed as a social partner by their peers.
It is assessed by measuring social preferences (liked/disliked) or social prominence (admired).
It strongly predicts psychological adjustment and social outcomes.

Question 12

Who are popular children?

Answer 12

Popular children receive many positive votes (are well-liked).
They tend to have strong social skills, are cooperative, and are often leaders.
They are associated with positive emotional and social adjustment.

Question 13

Who are rejected children?

Answer 13

Rejected children receive many negative votes (are disliked).
They are often anxious, unhappy, disruptive, or poorly achieving.
They face higher risks of emotional issues, poor school performance, and future delinquency.

Question 14

Who are controversial children?

Answer 14

Controversial children receive both positive and negative votes (are both liked and disliked).
They may display a mix of pro-social and aggressive behaviors.
Their friendships and social status are often unstable.

Question 15

Who are neglected children?

Answer 15

Neglected children are seldom mentioned by peers, either positively or negatively.
They are often quiet and introverted but not necessarily lonely or unhappy.
They may be socially skilled but prefer solitude.

Question 16

Popular-Prosocial Children

Answer 16

Well-liked by peers for positive behaviors.
Demonstrate prosocial skills such as helping others, cooperating, and displaying empathy.
Typically have good leadership abilities and positive social status.

Question 17

Popular-Antisocial Children

Answer 17

Well-liked by peers but engage in antisocial behaviors (e.g., aggression, bullying).
Use social power to manipulate others or gain dominance.
Often admired for physical attractiveness or leadership, despite negative behavior.

Question 18

Rejected-Aggressive Children

Answer 18

Disliked by peers due to aggressive behaviors (e.g., fighting, bullying).
Often engage in retaliation or hostile actions against others.
May be socially isolated or have few close friends.

Question 19

Rejected-Withdrawn Children

Answer 19

Disliked by peers due to withdrawal and lack of social interaction.
Typically shy, passive, or anxious in social situations.
May suffer from low self-esteem and poor social skills.

Question 20

Peer Groups

Answer 20

Collectives that generate unique values and standards for behavior and a social structure of leaders and followers.

Question 21

Cliques

Answer 21

Groups of about five to eight mem- bers who are friends and, therefore, usually resemble one another in family background, attitudes, values, and interests

Question 22

Crowds

Answer 22

Larger, looser groups made up of several cliques with similar values. Crowds are based on reputation and stereotypes (e.g., “brains,” “jocks,” “partiers”).

Question 23

What defines a traditional classroom?

Answer 23

A teacher-centered environment where the teacher is the authority, students are passive, and progress is evaluated through standardized tests.

Question 24

What defines a constructivist classroom?

Answer 24

A student-centered environment where students actively construct their own knowledge through problem-solving and are evaluated based on their individual growth.

Question 25

What is a social-constructivist classroom?

Answer 25

A classroom where learning is a shared, social process, with students and teachers collaborating to co-construct knowledge through meaningful activities and experiences.