Lecture 19 - Social and Development 2: Development with Peers

Question 1

What are two major social contexts that influence the development of children?

Answer 1

Friends and family.

Question 2

What is position of Oliver James on family in regards to child development?

Answer 2

Saw family as fucking up the children.

Question 3

In regards to child development what are the qualifiers of a friend?

Answer 3

In regards to child development, the qualifiers of a friend are that they age-matched/developmental stage-matched, trust (Especially in adolescence), unrelated (relationship is voluntary).

Question 4

What aspect of friendship distinguishes it from a family relationship?

Answer 4

Friendships are voluntary.

Question 5

What makes friendships unique, compared to family relationships?

Answer 5

Voluntary, equal power-dynamic, peer-matched.

Question 6

In childhood friends are often going through the same developmental challenges and changes. How does this contribute to the importance of friends in regards to childhood development?

Answer 6

This gives the child support and connection through these developmental changes. It also means that the friendship is of equal power-dynamic.

Question 7

What is meant by friendships as a system?

Answer 7

Friendships seen as a system means that the

Question 8

What is Rubin’s Model of Peer Relations?

Answer 8

Rubin, a contemporary psychologist, put forth a theory of Peer Relations that sees Peer Relations existing in nested levels of increasing complexity. Starting with interactions between individuals as being the simplest form of social interaction, then going onto relationships - including friendships - then on to groups, which are, according to Rubin, the most socially complex.

Question 9

Who is at the centre of Rubin’d model of peer relations?

Answer 9

The child.

Question 10

What is meant by friendships being Dynamic Systems?

Answer 10

Viewing friendships as a dynamic system is viewing friendships as consisting of multiple elements (children) who influence each other and consistently changing and evolving.

Question 11

What are the three ways in which friendships support/influence youth development?

Answer 11

1. Development of cognitive skills
2. Emotional support and validation
3. Development of social skills

Question 12

At around what age does the perceived emotional support from friends outweigh that of parents?

Answer 12

Around 13 years of age.

Question 13

What are some aspects of certain friendships that may be detrimental?

Answer 13

Certain friendships can promote dangerous behaviour or condone certain beliefs that are harmful to self or others.

Question 14

For children what is considered a peer?

Answer 14

Unrelated children who are at the same developmental level as themselves.

Question 15

What about peer relationships makes them particularly unique compared to family relationships?

Answer 15

Family relationships generally have an unequal power dynamic, whereas peer relationships, especially for children, tend to not have this power imbalance.

Question 16

At what age do children show a preference for different children they want to play with?

At what age do children start playing in groups and not just together?

Answer 16

3 and 4 respectively

Question 17

What is a friendship?

Answer 17

Supportive, Reinforcing, Mutual and Reciprocal

Question 18

Why are friendships unique?

Answer 18

Friendships are unique because they are voluntary, equal power dynamic, Transactional (mutual and reciprocal), important for psychological wellbeing, dynamic systems (both people in relationship - during childhood - are going through significant developmental changes generally at the same time).

Question 19

What is meant by the idea that Friendships are a system?

Answer 19

A system has multiple elements that interact and affect each other. The system works to achieve a specific purpose. The system has specific needs and limitations. Each element contributes something unique.
A single friendship can be a system. A child’s group of friends can also be seen as a system.

Question 20

What is Rubin’s Model of Peer Relations?

Answer 20

Rubin’s Model of Peer Relations views relationships as a system made of nested levels of increasing complexity.
Centre - child (Acknowledges that each child brings their own influence, experience, traits to all their interactions, friendships, relationships etc)
Interactions come next
Relationships/friendships (1 on 1) come next
Groups/friendship groups come next.

Question 21

According to Rubin how to friendships vary with each other?
Hint: there are three areas of variation according to Rubin.

Answer 21

Closeness, Frequency of interactions, and Duration of friendship.

Question 22

What is meant when friendships are described as a DYNAMIC SYSTEM?

Answer 22

A DYNAMIC SYSTEM refers to a system that is constantly changing and that each element of the system influences the other elements, so as one element changes the other elements are affect by the change and in turn change as well.

Question 23

Why is it important and helpful to view friendships as dynamic systems?

Answer 23

It helps to understand how friendships work and develop if we view the friendship as being a system that is made up of elements (the children themselves) that affect each other if they change.
So as children go through different changes or developments their friendships will change and evolve or cease.

Question 24

How do friendships influence child development?

Answer 24

The unique qualities of a friendship mean that they also have a unique influence on the child’s development.
The fact there is a more equal power dynamic in friendships means that children are more receptive to feedback from their friends that from other people in their lives, such as parents and teachers.
Children also feel more comfortable engaging in debate, feedback with each other and this contribute to SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED LEARNING/KNOWLEDGE. This ability to learn and acquire knowledge is unique to the influence of friendships.
Friendships also provide emotional support and validation.
Friendships also help children develop social and pro-social behaviours - such as pretend play, gossiping, arguing, conflict resolution.

Question 25

What is an example of an experimental finding that supports the importance of friendships for emotional support for children and adolescents.

Answer 25

A Dutch study found that the perceived level of emotional support of children goes from mostly coming from parents to mostly coming from friends from 13 years onwards.

Question 26

What are three ways we discussed that friendships influence/promote child development?

Answer 26

1. Contribute to development of cognitive skills
2. Provide emotional Support and Validation
3. Contribute to social skills development

Question 27

What are some ways friendships can be disadvantageous to children?

Answer 27

Friendships may encourage dangerous or harmful behaviour.