Peers in adolescence: L17

Question 1

1. what are friends?

2. what are friendships?

Answer 1

1. aged-matched, close, non-familial

2. homophilic, reinforce tendencies, mutual & reciprocal

Question 2

1. friendships are: (4)

Answer 2

1. voluntary/non permanent
2. equal power dynamic
3. intimate
4. important for wellbeing

Question 3

2. sibships (siblings) are: (4)

Answer 3

1. permanent
2. power dynamic
3. intimate
4. important for wellbeing

Question 4

define cliques

Answer 4

friendship groups that children voluntarily join/form

Question 5

what do cliques involve?

Answer 5

• shared sense of belonging
  -shared interest
  (can influence child -> peer pressure)
• context for socialisation
  (can result in in-group fighting/gossiping) -> influence later relationships in life
• unstable, transient membership (children normally in more than 1 clique)

Question 6

define crowds

Answer 6

groups of adolescents with similar stereotypes reputations

Question 7

Crowds are…

Answer 7

• not voluntary

- shapes identity development (perception of others, effects opportunities)

Question 8

intimate disclosure shown over grades between friends, romantic partner and parents: Siegler

Answer 8

• grade 2-5 = parents
• grade 6-college = friends
• college + = romantic partner

Question 9

what did the orphaned peer group show?

Answer 9

1. attachment (to each other)
2. protection
3. reinforcement
4. emotional support
   - > mirrored parental-child relationships
   - > stable peer friendships can replace unstable family relationships = supporting development

Question 10

how do friendships shape children’s development? (4)

Answer 10

1. emotional support
2. validation
3. cognitive skills
4. social skills

Question 11

how do friendships shape children’s development?

1. emotional support
2. validation

Answer 11

1. buffer against bad experiences = stability

2. validate each other’s worth = validate beliefs

Question 12

how do friendships shape children’s development

3. cognitive skills

Answer 12

3. offer & accept feedback -> develop creativity & socially constructed learning

Question 13

how do friendships shape children’s development

4. social skills

Answer 13

4. practice pro-social behaviour ->
   younger children: pretend play
   older children: gossip, argue

Question 14

Are friendships always beneficial?

Answer 14

Validation of attributes -> aggression deviance

negotiating & infighting -> bullying

prosocial behaviour -> gangs, criminal offences

Question 15

This is who I am (peer relationships)

Answer 15

• identity
• self-concept
• autonomy
• intrinsic drive
• independence from family

Question 16

this is who we are (adult & family relationships)

Answer 16

• connection
• reputation
• status
• romantic relationships
• belonging (within cliques)

Question 17

In sum: friends offer?

Answer 17

• intimate contexts for cognitive, social & emotional development:
• > trust
• > reciprocity-> construction of knowledge

Question 18

In sum: Friendships

1. are:
2. shape:

Answer 18

• important contexts for developing a sense of self & social connection
• a child’s development in different ways from family (beneficial or detrimental)