Chapter 8 Ecology of the Peer Group

Prologue What makes a good friend? Why is it important to have at least one?

What is the value of friendship? How do friends work through conflicts? What are some issues that arise in a group that affect friendship? What are some strategies that friends engage in to maintain the relationship?

The peer group as a socializing agent The significance of peers to development –Belonging needs and socialization Infancy/Toddlerhood Early childhood Middle childhood Adolescence

Fig. 8-1, p. 300

The peer group as a socializing agent –Sense of self and personal identity Infancy/Toddlerhood Early childhood Middle childhood Adolescence

Fig. 8-2, p. 306

The peer group as a socializing agent Psychological development: emotions Social development: social competence –Age and stage of cognitive development –Situation –Psychological factors

The peer group as a socializing agent Cognitive development: social cognition Peer group socializing mechanisms –Reinforcement –Modeling –Punishment –Apprenticeship

Macrosystem influences on the peer group: developmental tasks Getting along with others Developing morals and values Learning appropriate sociocultural roles –Gender roles –Sex education Achieving personal independence and identity

Chronosystem influences on the peer group: play/activities The significance and development of play –Play: behavior enjoyed for its own sake –Parten categorized play: Solidarity Onlooker Parallel Associative Cooperative

Chronosystem influences on the peer group: play/activities –Sutton-Smith categorized play: Imitative Exploratory Testing Model-building

Chronosystem influences on the peer group: play/activities Infant/Toddler peer activities Early Childhood peer activities Middle childhood/Preadolescent activities Adolescent peer activities

Peer group interaction Development of friendship –Early Childhood –Early to middle childhood –Middle childhood –Middle childhood to adolescence –Adolescence to adulthood

Peer group interaction Acceptance/neglect/rejection by peers Peer sociotherapy

Table 8-1, p. 331

Peer group dynamics and social hierarchies Inclusion and exclusion Bullies/victims Gangs Peer collaboration, tutoring and counseling

Mesosystem influences on the peer group Adult-mediated group interaction –How adults mediate, or structure, the social interaction within a peer group influences children’s behavior –A study by Mustaf Sherif and his colleagues found

Mesosystem influences on the peer group –Study by Mustaf Sherif found: Groups tend to stratify Groups develop norms Frustration and competition contribute to hostility between groups Competition between groups fosters cohesiveness within groups Intergroup hostility can often be reduced by setting up a common goal

Mesosystem influences on the peer group Adult leadership styles –Groups led by adults differ markedly in the kind of leadership provided Authoritarian Democratic Laissez-faire

Mesosystem influences on the peer group Team Sports –Sports are “organized interactions” of children in competitive and/or cooperative team or individual enjoyable physical activities –Not all children benefit from sports experiences

Table 8-2, p. 343

Cliques, Crowds, and Conformity

Video Questions Why do you think parents have more influence on “long-term” or “major life decisions” than peers do? What types of decisions do peers tend to influence the most? Why? What is the main function of cliques and crowds?

Video Questions How far reaching is the influence of a clique or crowd? How does one become a part of a clique? Are cliques necessary for socialization?