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

2. 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

3. 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.

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

5. 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

6. Generational Difference in Attitudes
Parents Generation Gap Adolescent

7. 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
Data Collection: Participant observation over 6 months. Results: 5 stages of group formation and interaction

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. Significance of Adolescent Groups

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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