Chapter 15: peers, play, and popularity Flashcards
Play
A pleasurable activity that is actively
engaged in on a voluntary basis, is intrinsically motivated, and contains some nonliteral element
Social levels of play
Mildren Parten (1932): six levels of play that ranged from nonsocial to integrated
– Unoccupied behavior
– Onlooking
– Solitary
– Parallel
– Associative
– Cooperative
Sensorimotor play
Infants
Practice of sensory activity and development of motor actions
Sociodramatic play
Begins around 3
Involves acting out different social roles or characters
Middle childhood
Focus on logic and physical skills
Concrete operational thinking leads to more concrete play (structured rules and games, collecting, sports)
Social Relations Among Infants
Infants show social interaction by 2 months
Mutual gaze
Babble, smile, and touch each other
By 1 yr, imitate each other and share toys
Social responsivenes
Social relations among toddlers
Around 2 yrs, toddlers take turns imitating each other and are AWARE they are being imitated
Interaction revolves around games (building, chasing, pouring, etc.)
Interactions include frequent conflicts
Most friends are selected by convenience
May begin to show preferences, but do not actively seek out friends
Friendships in children
Play-based friends (3-7): friends are kids you see a lot, who like the same things you do, and who share their toys with you
Loyal and faithful friends (8-11): friends are loyal, faithful, and generous
Intimate friends (adol. and beyond): sharing, intimacy, trust
Gender segregation
The tendency for children to associate with others of their same sex
Causes of gender segregation
Play compatibility: within genders, it is more likely that children will share play styles
Cognitive schemas: schemas of gender-typed behavior guide preferences
Operant conditioning: children are rewarded for complying with sex-typed behaviors, and punished for exhibiting behaviors of opposite sex
Effects of Gender Segregation
Creates gender cultures:
Boys’ play: physical aggression, dominance, independence
Girls’ play: social closeness, sensitivity, nurturance, affection
Tips to reduce gender segregation:
Model egalitarian roles
Arrange play opportunities with opposite sex
Reinforce cross-gender behaviors/play
Friends and Peers in Adolescence
Teenagers spent twice as much time with friends as with parents, siblings, and other adults
Having close and supportive friendships is correlated with:
- Higher self-esteem
- More popularity
- Better behavior
- Higher academic achievement
Cliques and Crowds
Cliques: small groups of usually 3 to 9 friends who spend time together
Crowds: larger groups of peers who have similar reputations or share primary attitudes or activities
Popularity
Popular children: kids everyone says they like
Average children: moderately liked and disliked
Controversial children: liked and disliked
Neglected children: not liked or disliked, simply ignored
Rejected children: kids who are actively disliked
Bullying
Ongoing verbal or physical aggression that is aimed at particular victims and that involves an imbalance of power
