Download - Peer Groups
PeerPeer Groups Groups
Stephanie ScharfCEHS 200: Chapter 8
Nov. 3, 2008
Main Points:Main Points:•PurposePurpose
•Evolution of InteractionEvolution of Interaction
•Peer Groups and PlayPeer Groups and Play
•OrganizationOrganization
•Behavior InfluencesBehavior Influences
•Acceptance vs. RejectionAcceptance vs. Rejection
•Positive and Negative OutcomesPositive and Negative Outcomes
Peersequals, individuals who are usually of the same gender, age, and social status and who share interests
I am an only child.
Therefore, my social interactions
with peers took place only
at school and church.
Often, the friends I made would come visit
in the evenings,
where my parents would supervise
our activities.
Ecological ModelReal Life Example
Friends
visit
Make
Friends
CHILD
PEERS
FAMILY
SCHOOL/
CHURCH
Purpose ofPurpose ofPeer GroupsPeer Groups
• Satisfy certain belonging needs
• Often preferred to other socializing agents
• Influence social, cognitive and psychological development
• Influence development of morals and values
• Interaction provides instruction onacceptable behavior.
• Social Support – resources provided by others in times of need–Validation for the self
–Encouragement to try new things
–Opportunities for comparison
–Enable self-disclosure
–Provide identity
Evolution ofEvolution ofPeer InteractionPeer Interaction
Infancy/Toddlerhood• First feel belonging and develop
attachment to parents
• Capable of simple interactions distinguishing self from others
• Progress from emotional to behavioral interactions
• By 3.5 can be socially involved with peers
• Friendship: momentary playmateship
Early Childhood• Parenting styles affect opportunity
for social interactions
• Deal with more complex issues such as power, compliance, cooperation, and conflict
• Interaction increases and becomes more complex, forming groups
• Friendship: one-way assistance
Middle Childhood• School age children experience increase
in social interaction
• Peer group attractive because opportunity for independence from family
• Enjoy the closeness and sharing of emotions
• Group provides identity models
• Peer interaction more than 30% of their time
• Activities become gender-specific and reflect culture
• Friendship: Two-way, fair-weather cooperation; intimate, mutually shared relationships
Adolescence• Develop “best friends” and base friendships
off closeness of the relationship
• Peer group activities escalate
• Turn to group for “what’s hot now”
• “hang out”, talk, watch TV, listen to music, play video games, be seen, see who else is “hanging” with whom, wait for something to happen
• Friendship: autonomous interdependent friendships
Peer GroupsPeer Groupsand Playand Play
• Help learn about environment
• Imaginary situations governed by social rules
• Acceptable way to express emotions and impulses
• Practice skills necessary for adult life
Peer GroupPeer GroupOrganizationOrganization
• Cliques–mutually connected by doing things together
• Crowds– loosely organized reference groups of cliques
Ways Peer GroupsWays Peer GroupsInfluence BehaviorInfluence Behavior
• Reinforcement–giving attention and
acceptance
• Modeling– imitation, conformity
• Punishment– teasing, physical aggression, rejection
• Apprenticeship– the “expert” helps the “novice”
• Stratify– some individuals more
dominant and other submissive
• Develop norms– standards that serve as
guidelines
• Frustration and competition contribute to hostility
• Competition between groups fosterscohesiveness within groups
• Intergroup hostility can often be reduced by working towards a common goal
Adult influence
• How adults mediate the social interaction within a peer group – competitive or cooperative – influences children’s behavior
• Adult leadership style influences socialization
Peer AcceptancePeer AcceptanceVersus RejectionVersus Rejection
Common BehaviorTraits
PositivePositivePeer Group OutcomesPeer Group Outcomes
• Collaboration
• Tutoring
• Counseling
• Neighborhood affects positive or negative effects
NegativeNegativePeer Group OutcomesPeer Group Outcomes
•Bullies and Victims
•Gangs
Bully Characteristics
• Domination
• Physically stronger
• Impulsive, low frustration tolerance, easily angered
• Rule-breakers
• Show little empathy
• Positive self-concept
• Antisocial behavior
Victim Characteristics
• Physically weaker
• Show fear of pain
• Poor physical coordination
• Cautious, sensitive, quiet,passive, submissive, shy
• Anxious, insecure, unhappy
• Negative self-concept
• Relate better to adults than peers
• What to do?
–Intervention with bullies that do notreinforce harassment
–Intervention with victims to alter negative self-concept and to respond in nonreinforcing ways to threats
Gang
• group of people whoform an allegiance for acommon purpose andengage in unlawful orcriminal activity
Reasons Gangs Form
• Racism
• Socioeconomics
• Family structure
• Belief system
PeerPeer Groups Groups
Stephanie ScharfCEHS 200: Chapter 8
Nov. 3, 2008