Relational Influences How groups develop in adolescence Functions of adolescent groups Adolescent relationship development

Terminology Peers People who interact on fairly equal terms. They have similar status and are usually of similar age and interests. Cliques Groups of 4-10 members of same gender who interact frequently, have common interests and shared values

Terminology Dyads Pairs of close friends or lovers. Crowds Larger groups with similar identities or affiliations. Crowds are formed when two or more cliques of different gender come together.

What’s new at adolescence? Larger schools, more peers New types of relationships and level of interactions Less adult supervision, greater independence and autonomy

Adolescence: Transition from Child to Adult Impact of Transition on Social Relationships Child: Play group Role play Introduction to Group Norms and structured play Limited social influence as parents have greater control of group membership Adolescents: Peer Groups Provide social identity outside family Learn about and become part of a social structure outside the family Experience how social groups work to attain shared goals

Generational Difference in Attitudes Parents Generation Gap Adolescent

How do groups develop in adolescence? (p 449-450, F & G textbook) Source: Dexter C. Dunphy. The Social Structure of Urban Adolescent Peer Groups. Sociometry . Vol. 26, No. 2 (Jun., 1963), pp. 230-246 Data Collection: Participant observation over 6 months. Results: 5 stages of group formation and interaction

Stages of group and crowd formation See Fig. 18.5, p 450 Stage 1 – cliques (small groups, same sex) formed Cliques isolated from each other. Frequent contact, sharing of secrets and personal info. Stage 2 – unisex cliques interact to form larger groups. Prior membership in a clique required. Social interaction and bantering between sexes.

Stages of group and crowd formation See Fig. 18.5, p 450 Stage 3 – higher ranking clique members form heterosexual cliques (i.e. dating partners). Stage 4 – fully developed crowd consisting of large numbers of heterosexual couples. Stage 5 – Crowd disintegration. Couples go their separate ways.

Adolescent Relationship Development Impact of Dunphy’s study: Interactions within adolescent Peer Groups are critical to socialisation outside the family and developing independence away from parental influence Platform for transition from same-sex to opposite-sex relationships; from friendship to more intimate adult sexual relationships. Cliques enable development of opposite-sex relationships from the safety of a larger group Heterosexual Cliques provide opportunities for non- threatening casual encounters before the development of more intimate relationships Exposure to different stages is an essential part of growing up

Significance of Adolescent Groups

Significance of Adolescent Groups (Study by Barber, Eccles and Stone, 2001) Longitudinal study starting with 900 6th graders from Michigan in 1983 Data Collection 6th grade 10th grade 12th grade 2 years after high school 6 years after high school

Significance of Adolescent Groups (Study by Barber, Eccles and Stone, 2001) Measures: Identity group (based on Breakfast Club characters – Jock, Brains, Princess, Basket Case, Criminal) Activity involvement Substance use Academic outcomes Job characteristics Psychological adjustment Family demographics Academic aptitude

Significance of Adolescent Groups (Study by Barber, Eccles and Stone, 2001) Pro-social activity participation (Brain) Lower substance use, higher self-esteem, increased likelihood of college participation Performing arts participation (Princess, Basket Case) More years of education, increase in drinking between age 18-21, higher suicide attempts and psychologist visits by age 24

Significance of Adolescent Groups (Study by Barber, Eccles and Stone, 2001) Sports participation (Jock) Positive educational and emotional outcomes, lower levels of social isolation but higher rates of drinking Anti-social activity participation (Criminal) Worst outcomes

Significance of Adolescent Groups Participation in extracurricular activities: positively associated with higher academic track enrolment, university aspirations and school belonging negatively associated with skipping school friend characteristics mediate association between participation in activities and positive developmental outcomes