Peer relations Flashcards
Observing toddlers in playgroup and nursery settings has shown that by _____ years of age children discriminate among peer partners and form preferences within their peer group
2-3 years
Friendships in young children are stable: ____ of friendships in a nursery setting were maintained for the full 3 years
80%
By preschool, average length of time children tend to be friends is ___ years
2 years
Well acquainted toddler peers are able to engage in scripted cooperative fantasy play before ______ of age
24 months of age
Between ages ___ to ___ years of age social play and social pretend play increase in complexity
2 to 4 years
Once children have mastered social pretend play, one of its functions is the exploration of…
trust and intimacy
Themes of pretend play are thought to represent children’s own ________ and _______ – and thus are a form of ____-________
preoccupations, concerns, self-disclosure
Children use the themes of play to communicate _______ _______ __________ - they may not yet have the _________ or ________ sophistication to communicate these aspects of self in conversation
something about themselves, linguistic, cognitive
What are 5 key themes of pretend play?
- Domestic (shopping, cleaning, feeding)
- Monsters (sharks, spiders)
- Violence (police/arresting, battles, swordplay)
- Fantasy/magic (fairies, fairy tales)
- Sex (sexual themes and marriage)
What was found about play themes in “hard-to-manage” children?
Showed high rates of antisocial behaviour, and negative emotions
The total amount of pretend play was similar across groups (compared to matched controls) BUT hard-to-manage group were more likely to engage in violent themes of play
Regardless of group: children who engaged in violent themes of play;
○ More frequently angry and less positive in their responses to peers
○ Engaged in more frequent antisocial behaviour outside the context of play
○ Had play with greater conflict
What are five key factors of friendship?
1. D____ relationship between children - m____ r____
2. V____
3. I____ - shared i____, a____
4. S____
5. Differ from other d____ relationships
- Dyadic relationship between children - mutually reciprocated
- Voluntary
- Intimate - shared interests, affectionate
- Stable
- Differ from other dyadic relationships (e.g. parent-child)
How are reciprocated friendships measured in children?
Children asked to nominate best friends (typically 3). Children who both nominate each other are considered to have a reciprocated friendship
How are friendships measured using proximity?
1. __ft p____ to one another
2. Engage in i____ social play
3. Both display p____ a____
Children observed in their setting over time
Friendship scans to see if:
1. 3ft proximity to one another
2. engage in interactive social play
3. both display positive affect
How is children’s friendship quality measured?
Interviewing children on their own perceptions of their friendship.
* For example, insight into the relationship, conflict, friends’ preferences
Sociometric status refers to the d____ to which an i____ child is a____ by their p____ group
The degree to which an individual child is accepted by their peer group
How is a Childs social preference and social impact measured?
Social Preference: Like most– like least nominations
Social Impact: Like most + like least nominations
What are the categories in sociometric status?
- popular (well liked by many)
- rejected (actively disliked by many)
- Neglected (rarely voted as liked or disliked)
- Controversial (highly liked and disliked)
- average (none of the above)
What does the behavioural profile look like of rejected children?
- S____ - __% of children rejected at age __ were still rejected __ years later
- Spend less time in c____ play than average child
- More time a____ and f____
- More likely to engage in behaviours that d____ the play of others - these behaviours become s____-s____
- Poorer outcomes l____
Stable; 30% of children rejected at age 8 were still rejected 4 years later
Spend less time in cooperative play than average children
More time arguing and fighting
More likely to engage in behaviours that disrupt the play of others - these behaviours become self-sustaining
Poorer outcomes long-term
What does the behavioural profile of a neglected child look like?
- Low social i____ among peer group
- S____ and w____
- Hard to distinguish b____ from a____ or p____ children
- Least s____ sociometric category
Low social impact among the peer group
Shy and withdrawn
Hard to distinguish behaviourally from average or popular children
Least stable sociometric category
What does the behavioural profile of a popular child look like?
Good i____ skills, s____ o____
P____ - described by their peers as h____ and c____
More likely to engage in a____ and c____ play
L____ qualities
Good interpersonal skills, socially outgoing
Prosocial: described by their peers as helpful, considerate
More likely to engage in associative and cooperative play
Leadership qualities
What does the behavioural profile of a controversial child look like?
Highly v____ members of the peer group
Characteristics of both r____ and p____ children
L____ but also a____
Highly visible members of the peer group
Characteristics of both rejected and popular children
Leaders but also aggressive
How do children with a reciprocated best friend compare to those without one?
Children with a reciprocated best friend are more a____ and socially c____ than children without friends
Children with a reciprocated best friend are more adjusted and socially competent than children without friends
What does friendship act as a buffer for?
For children who may be v____, friendships b____ against n____ impact victimisation has on w____
For children who may be victimized, friendships buffer against the negative impact victimization has on wellbeing
What is friendship and peer acceptance a predictor of?
A____ a____ at school
Friendship and peer acceptance are predictive of children’s academic achievement at school
What positive outcomes do well-liked by their peer group children have?
- Better s____ adjustment and a____
- Greater a____ life s____, including j____ performance, a____ level and s____ life
Had better school adjustment and achievement, and greater adult life satisfaction, including job performance, aspiration level, social life
What consequences did children face that didn’t have a reciprocated friend?
Less positive f____ interactions
Poorer general s____ w____
Greater d____ symptoms
Less positive family interactions, and poorer general self worth, Greater depressive symptoms
Children without a reciprocated friend and experiencing peer rejection = Overall higher levels of psychopathology
