Lecture 6: Friends & Peers Flashcards
Rethinking emotions
There is this notion that emotions are like a lightbulb, they turn on and then their off. In reality, Emotions are much more of a continuum
Storm and stress theory
Decrease in self control but increase in sensitivity. This idea fits with societies idea of adolescence, it also fits with our memories (availability heuristic). Some truth to this: emotional affect high in adolescence, and a downwards trend of self esteem
Why do adolescents experience a decrease in self esteem?
Increased self awareness, uncertainty, adolescence experience a pile of up these changes/transitions and lead to a decrease
Will Hipson’s research on emotions in adolescence
Grade 4-12 poetry. Analyzing the negative affect in their writing. In grade 7, 8, 9 you see a steep increase in negative emotions throughout their poetry
What are some caveats/limitations of his research?
Not typical of all adolescents, Positive emotions are still more common (on average), Changes may reflect inflated self view in childhood
What do graphs looking at stability of emotions in adolescence indicate?
during adolescence they become better at regulating their emotions and controlling how they feel
So what is increasing during adolescence?
One of the main thing that increases is conflict (more specifically, parent-child conflict). In early adolescence conflict increases, but in late adolescence intensity of conflict increases (subject matter). Mood disruptions “pile up”. Risky behaviour often leads to negative consequences which adds to the difficulties
Why are peers so important during adolescence?
Peer relationships are more rewarding
(Shared experience)
Peer opinion matters more. Intimacy in friendship and romantic relationships (Emotionally in sync
& Emotional closeness appears to be more important to girls than boys)
What are friendships?
voluntary affiliations with greater closeness
What are cliques?
interconnected friendships (usually share certain interests but do not all share same level of friendship)
What are social groups?
e.g., classrooms, clubs etc., you tend to engage in certain activities or are put together for an amount of time, may not be friends with everyone.
What characteristics predict friendship in young children?
Proximity (who’s around) and gender
What characteristics predict friendship in adolescence?
Grade, SES, Shared activities (particularly sports), Problem behaviour
What is the dark side of peer relations?
Peer pressure, Peer victimization, and co rumination
What can we do about peer pressure?
Anticipate situations, Devise strategies, At least one friends also says ‘no’ (Friend with similar values)
Peer Victimization
bullying peaks at
14-15 years or grade 9 What about different types of bullying. Physical bullying: declines with age. Relational and cyber bullying increase between 11-15 years of age and decrease thereafter. Ball study
What is Co rumination?
Extensive discussing of problems and negative feelings. Double edged sword: Reinforces negative coping styles (dwelling on negative events is not good for you) Promotes closeness (if rumination is balanced)
Are girls or boys more likely to co ruminate?
Girls more likely to co ruminate. Why? Men are less likely to reveal their emotions, gender stereotypes and stigmas (men have to be manly)
Is co rumination always bad for you?
Also depends on your personality whether its good or bad for you (highly social anxious people tend to be affected less negatively by co rumination- because it tends to expose them to social interaction and thus feel less lonely)
Does time with family increase or decrease during adolescence?
Time with family decreases, Time with friends (especially other sex friends) increases. Prefer friends over family
What are the benefits of social interaction/friendships?
beneficial for psychosocial development -Interpersonal skills, social functioning -Academic competence -Behavioural adjustment -Emotional adjustment Well-being
What are the costs of being excluded from social interactions?
Peer exclusion, rejection, ostracism, and isolation associated with: Internalizing problems, Externalizing problems, Social difficulties
what does exclusion lead to?
Psychological/emotional pain: Threatens need to belong (need to belong theory we all have this instinctive need to belong), Reduced self-esteem, Lack of control, Diminished sense of meaningful existence. Particularly harmful in adolescence
Why do individuals feel particularly lonely during adolescence?
Loneliness peaks in adolescence, Extreme emotions and the Importance of peers
What does Social withdrawal in adolescence lead to?
Leads to social and emotional difficulties, More time alone associated with negative adjustment outcomes, Especially in early adolescence
What assumption do researchers make based on the fact that time with peer is beneficial for cognitive, social and emotional well being?
Assumption: lack of social interactions must be bad and costly
What is the clinical perspective on time spent alone?
Increased time alone associated with psychopathology: Social anxiety disorder, Specific phobias (e.g., agoraphobia), Depression, Social anhedonia, Avoidant personality disorder, Schizophrenia, Hikikomori
What are the postulated benefits of solitude?
Stress reduction, self renewal, Self exploration, self reflection, Inner peace, Productivity, Respite from social demands, Freedom, Creativity, Intimacy, Spirituality, Identity formation
Is time alone greater than bad time together?
Yes, Not all social interactions & peer relationships are positive. Time alone as a strategy to avoid negative peer interactions. Friends are a source of most negative emotions: Anger, frustration, sadness, anxiety, Mirroring of negative emotions, co-rumination, Peer pressure to participate in risky behaviours, Peer aggression (physical and relational), Strong reliance on friends leads to emotional vulnerability.
solitude as a paradox
Although we may actively seek time alone because of its self-enhancing functions, solitude is often experienced as an undesirable (and sometimes painful) state, the goldilocks priniciple
How much is enough regarding solitude?
The ‘right amount’ might differ based on… Circumstances (External vs. internal reasons, Not all alone time is equal (engaged vs. disengaged, defining ‘time alone’) Individual differences (Preference for solitude, introversion, shyness, social anxiety, social anhedonia, etc.) and Developmental stages
What competing influences are there from adolescence to emerging adulthood that effect amounts of solitude?
Social norms and expectations, autonomy, recognition of constructive beliefs, attitudes and beliefs
Competing influences: social norms and expectations
Increased expectations for peer interactions (Broader networks, more intimate relationships) Peer pressure at its peak, Greater reliance on peer support, Solitude as particularly lonely, BUT: solitude as a refuge from social pressures/demands
Competing influences: Autonomy
Expression of individuality
Greater independence/distance from family
More opportunity to be alone
Greater freedom to choose social experiences
Greater desire for privacy
Competing influences: recognition of constructing beliefs
Cognitive maturation
Solitude as purposeful (Creativity, productivity, self-reflection, identity formation, Time to work through strong emotions)
Solitude as necessary for healthy adjustment
Greater enjoyment of time alone
competing influences: attitudes and beliefs
Mounting appreciation for solitude
Met with less social criticism
Less socially stigmatizing and alienating
Solitude as more normative
What is the changing implication of solitude?
Negative implications of solitude may decrease, May be particularly bad during adolescence because of increased social awareness and need to be accepted
(A) social benefits for adolescent behaviour
Importance of social interactions more complex, More does not always equal better, Balance between social and alone time
