Peers Flashcards
define a peer
someone that is equal standing of another - operating at similar levels of behavioral complexity
What are the theories of peer relations?
- ethological theory
- cognitive-developmental theory
- social cognitive theory
- group socialization theory
Ethological theory of peer relations
HARLOW
- attachment bonds evolve and help infants develop social responsiveness to other members of the species
- peer groups allow children to make friends, practice rules of reciprocity, express certain behaviours in a socially acceptable way
- harlow argued that while aggression is biologically determine - the way its integrated into the behavioural system (through interactions) depends on the environment
Monkey experiment:
- mother only condition: developed normal attachment to mother, but lacked a peer base that resulted in inappropriate aggression
- peer only condition: lacked a secure attachment to mother (easily frightened) but handled aggression appropriately
- total isolation: serious difficulties (extreme withdrawal, inappropriate aggression) etc
Cognitive Developmental Theory –> Piaget
- in the pre-operational stage, children have unilateral respect for adult authority (they rely on adult authority for problem solving)
- when children resolve conflicts independently, they are forced into perceiving others thoughts and feelings
- sustained peer interaction allows children to outgrow pre-operational stage and move onto concrete operations
Social Cognitive Theory: Bandura
Peers provide the following
- models: greater emulation of models which are similar to themselves (age, ethnicity, gender)
- social sanction: positive and negative reactions (policing)
- self-regulation: contribute to self-standards
- self-efficacy: the expectations you have of yourself in relation to similar peers
Describe the development of peer sociability
- first few months = no real peer interaction
- 12-18 months, toddlers begin to react appropriately to other’s behaviour
- 18 months: imitating eachother
- 20-24 months: verbal component involved
- 18-24 months: coordinated and reciprocal play
- 2-3 years: remain near an adult
- 4-5 years: playful bids more directed towards other peers
Parental influences:
- secure attachment with parent (foster social ability)
- indirect: choice of residence, school choice
- indirect parental monitoring associated with greater likeability by peers than more direct monitoring by parents
what are the categories of peer acceptance
popular children
rejected children
neglected cihldren
controversial children
average-status children
factors related to peer acceptance:
- parenting styles
- temperamental characteristics
- behavioural correlates (i.e. aggressive-rejected and withdrawn-rejected children are typically rejected by the peer group)
- social skills training
influence of friends
- definition: a strong and enduring relationship between two individuals, characterized by loyalty, intimacy, and mutual affection
- adjustment outcomes: high quality friends tends to be associated with positive social outcomes, whereas poor quality friendships are associated with deviancy training
- children with friends report higher levels of self-esteem, are less lonely, more satisfied at school, and this has a protective role against peer victimization
- moral disengagement was associated with increased social bullying
gender differences in peer friendships
- girls reported more coruminating - accounting for positive friendship djustment and greater internalizing symptoms
social media: effects
- female social media use predicted higher prevalence of depression
- adolescents whose parents monitored their screentime in a supportive way, spent less time using social media and reported less problematic social media use
- increased eating pathology associated with social media use
