Peer Status and Group Entry in Middle Childhood Michael Hoerger

Importance of Friendships 10% of children have few or no close friends10% of children have few or no close friends “Peer interaction is not a superficial luxury to be enjoyed by some children and not by others, but is a necessity in childhood socialization.”“Peer interaction is not a superficial luxury to be enjoyed by some children and not by others, but is a necessity in childhood socialization.”

Outcomes of Poor Social Skills As Children… Bad grades/dropout, social avoidance, mistreated by peers, delinquencyBad grades/dropout, social avoidance, mistreated by peers, delinquency As Adults… Psychological problems, social anxiety, suicidePsychological problems, social anxiety, suicide

Sample Study Gather boys for 8 hour-long sessionsGather boys for 8 hour-long sessions 8 boys per group, with groups shuffled8 boys per group, with groups shuffled Structured and free playStructured and free play Raters code through two-way mirrorRaters code through two-way mirror Sociometric ratings madeSociometric ratings made Found 5 social status groupsFound 5 social status groups

Social Status Groups 1.Popular – well-liked, social hub 2.Controversial – love / hate 3.Average – the leftovers 4.Neglected – ignored, isolated 5.Rejected – disliked

Controversial Popular Average Rejected Neglected

Popular Most attractiveMost attractive LeadersLeaders Good at sharingGood at sharing Make suggestions, but not aggressiveMake suggestions, but not aggressive Possessive of objects, but can get away with itPossessive of objects, but can get away with it Least likely to be reprimandedLeast likely to be reprimanded

Controversial Prefer to spend little time in solitary playPrefer to spend little time in solitary play Highly cooperative & aggressiveHighly cooperative & aggressive Most reprimandedMost reprimanded Generally have some saving grace (high intelligence, comic, etc.) that keeps them from social rejectionGenerally have some saving grace (high intelligence, comic, etc.) that keeps them from social rejection

Neglected Talk too much at first and then get ignoredTalk too much at first and then get ignored Not hated (unlike the rejected group)Not hated (unlike the rejected group) Respond well to a new environmentRespond well to a new environment

Rejected Aggressive, inappropriate play, hostile, start argumentsAggressive, inappropriate play, hostile, start arguments Possessive of objects, and can’t get away with it (unlike populars)Possessive of objects, and can’t get away with it (unlike populars) Don’t stay on taskDon’t stay on task

Entering a Peer Group Applies to joining groups, making friends, interacting in meetings, getting datesApplies to joining groups, making friends, interacting in meetings, getting dates Rejection is the normRejection is the norm Predictors of success:Predictors of success: Sit back and watch before joining inSit back and watch before joining in Make relevant or productive commentsMake relevant or productive comments Don’t mind rejectionDon’t mind rejection

“Often, though not always, the people who do not like us are the same people that we do not especially like” --Gershen Kaufman

Michael Hoerger Michael Hoerger To cite this lecture: Hoerger, M. (2007, February 26). Peer Status and Group Entry. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.Hoerger, M. (2007, February 26). Peer Status and Group Entry. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.