Mary McClure, EdD, LPC Class 3

Adolescents typically have a larger number of acquaintances than children do Beginning in early adolescence, teenagers also typically prefer a smaller number of friendships that are more intense and intimate than those of children Cliques and crowds take on more importance as adolescents “hang out” together

Are peers necessary for development? Good peer relations might be necessary for normal social development in adolescence… modeling, shaping of new skills Social isolation is linked with many different forms of problems and disorders Provide context for ongoing identity development and exploration Develop principles of fairness and justice by working through disagreements with peers learn to be skilled and sensitive partners in intimate relationships by forging close friendships

There are many possible negative influences of peers on adolescents’ development Rejection and neglect by peers are related to an individual’s subsequent mental health ‘mean girl’ or ‘mean-boy’ experiences The peer culture can be a corrupt influence that undermines parental values and control Bullying is an escalating concern What can be safe haven from these ???

To many adolescents, how they are seen by peers is the most important aspect of their lives One of the most important functions of the peer group is to provide a source of information about the world outside the family Peer contexts determine the type or peers and situations that will be experienced What determines the peer contexts experienced??

What are some of the ways the worlds of parents and peers are connected? Parents’ choices of neighborhoods, churches, schools, and their own friends influence the pool from which their adolescents select possible friends Parents can model or coach their adolescents in ways of relating to peers research indicates that secure attachment to parents is related to the adolescent’s positive peer relations However, the success or failure of parent-adolescent attachments does not necessarily guarantee success or failure in peer relationships

View of self / others Personality Traits Socialization skills: processing social cues, empathy Emotional regulation Physical characteristics We tend to ‘hang with’ people with similar characteristics in identity development… but do branch-out to an extent

Conformity peaks around the 8th and 9th grades Adolescents who are uncertain about their social identity, which can appear in the form of low self- esteem and high social anxiety, are most likely to conform to peers Peers are also more likely to conform when they are in the presence of someone they perceive to have higher status than they do

Developmentalists have distinguished five types of peer statuses Popular children are frequently nominated as a best friend and are rarely disliked by their peers Average children receive an average number of both positive and negative nominations from their peers Neglected children are infrequently nominated as a best friend but are not disliked by their peers Rejected children are infrequently nominated as someone’s best friend and are actively disliked by their peers Controversial children are frequently nominated both as someone’s best friend and as being disliked

Researchers have found that popular children give out reinforcements, listen carefully, maintain open lines of communication with peers, are happy, control their negative emotions, show enthusiasm and concern for others, and are self-confident without being conceited … is this still true? (Hartup, 1983; Rubin, Bukowski, & Parker, 1998) three reasons why aggressive peer-rejected boys have problems in social relationships: They are more impulsive and have problems sustaining attention They are more emotionally reactive They have fewer social skills in making friends and maintaining positive relationships with peers

Hyperactivity may decrease in adolescence, so issues may appear less serious Consider Symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention Cognitive impairments… no ‘moment’ of consideration between perception and response Psychosocial impairments Self-image Relationships Lifestyle: education, career, legal, financial

Friends are a subset of peers who engage in mutual companionship, support, and intimacy … what is ‘ego strength’ ?

Cliques are small groups, average 5 or 6 Members are usually of the same sex and age Members usually engage in similar activities, such as being in a club together or on a sports team Crowds are larger and less personal than cliques Membership in a crowd based on reputation, and they may or may not spend much time together Many crowds are defined by the orientation of activities adolescents engage Youth Organizations – school, church, etc. Do we hold stereotypes here???

Recreation A source of status and achievement Part of the socialization process Involves learning about intimacy Context for sexual experimentation and exploration Provide companionship Identity formation and development A means of mate sorting and selection Still relevant? Value changes? Shifts in ‘stages’ of romantic relationships?

Single Adults Cohabiting Adults Married Adults The Benefits of a Good Marriage Premarital Education Divorced Adults Gay Male and Lesbian Adults

Efforts to enhance social skills May be at individual level May be at group level… also used for issues such as bullying, social justice issues of discrimination and marginalization Do we promote understanding of social justice issues? development of group identity? marginalization? privilege? Consider exercises… readings