PEER RELATIONSHIPPEER RELATIONSHIP

DR. SALMIZA SALEHDR. SALMIZA SALEH

Teenager groupTeenager group

Types of teenager groups:Types of teenager groups: Peer group A peer group is a group with members of A peer group is a group with members of

approximately the same age, social status, and interests. approximately the same age, social status, and interests. Generally, people are relatively equal in terms of power Generally, people are relatively equal in terms of power when they interact with peers. when they interact with peers.

Clique An informal, tight-knit group, often in a An informal, tight-knit group, often in a High School//College setting, that shares common setting, that shares common interests. Most cliques exhibit an established yet interests. Most cliques exhibit an established yet shifting power structure.shifting power structure.

Gang A gang is usually an urban group that gathers in a A gang is usually an urban group that gathers in a particular area. It is a group of people that often hang particular area. It is a group of people that often hang around each other. They can be like some clubs, but around each other. They can be like some clubs, but much less formalmuch less formal

Peer GroupPeer Group

PPeer groupeer group::

- A social group consisting of people who are equal in - A social group consisting of people who are equal in such respects as age, education or social class. such respects as age, education or social class.

- An informal primary group of people who share a - An informal primary group of people who share a similar or equal status and who are usually of roughly the similar or equal status and who are usually of roughly the same age, tended to travel around and interact within the same age, tended to travel around and interact within the social aggregatesocial aggregate

- Members of a particular peer group often have similar - Members of a particular peer group often have similar interests and backgrounds, bonded by the premise of interests and backgrounds, bonded by the premise of sameness.sameness.

- However, some peer groups are very diverse, crossing - However, some peer groups are very diverse, crossing social divides such as social divides such as socioeconomic status, level of , level of education, , race, , creed, , culture, or , or religion..

Peer RelationshipPeer Relationship

- - A peer relation is someone of your own age who A peer relation is someone of your own age who you have chosen to associate withyou have chosen to associate with

- Peer groups are an important influence - Peer groups are an important influence throughout one's life, but they are more critical throughout one's life, but they are more critical during the developmental years of childhood and during the developmental years of childhood and adolescenceadolescence

- It appears that the power of the peer group - It appears that the power of the peer group becomes more important when the family becomes more important when the family relationships are not close or supportive. relationships are not close or supportive.

Peer relationshipPeer relationship

Children may turn to their peer group for emotional Children may turn to their peer group for emotional support:support:

- If parents work extra jobs and are largely unavailable- If parents work extra jobs and are largely unavailable

- When the conflict between parents and children during - When the conflict between parents and children during adolescence, or at any time during a child's development, adolescence, or at any time during a child's development, becomes so great that the child feels pushed away and seeks becomes so great that the child feels pushed away and seeks closeness elsewhere. closeness elsewhere.

Most children and adolescents in this situation are not Most children and adolescents in this situation are not discriminating about the kind of group they join. discriminating about the kind of group they join.

They will often turn to a group simply because that group They will often turn to a group simply because that group accepts them, even if the group is involved in illegal or accepts them, even if the group is involved in illegal or negative activities. negative activities.

Developmental psychologyDevelopmental psychology

Developmental psychologists, , Lev Vygotsky, , Jean Piaget, , Erik Erikson, and , and Harry Stack Sullivan, have all argued that , have all argued that peer relationships provide a unique context for cognitive, peer relationships provide a unique context for cognitive, social, and emotional development, with equality, reciprocity, social, and emotional development, with equality, reciprocity, cooperation, and intimacy, maturing and enhancing children's cooperation, and intimacy, maturing and enhancing children's reasoning abilities and concern for others. reasoning abilities and concern for others.

Modern research echoes these sentiments, showing that social Modern research echoes these sentiments, showing that social and emotional gains are indeed provided by peer interaction.and emotional gains are indeed provided by peer interaction.

The successful formation and navigation of interpersonal The successful formation and navigation of interpersonal relationships with peers is a process central to adolescent relationships with peers is a process central to adolescent development in all culturesdevelopment in all cultures

Why are peer relationships Why are peer relationships important?important?

Peer relationships become more important as Peer relationships become more important as children grow into early adolescents. children grow into early adolescents.

Research indicates that older youth interact with Research indicates that older youth interact with peers more frequently and longer than do younger peers more frequently and longer than do younger youth, both within school and out of school (Larson youth, both within school and out of school (Larson & Richards, 1991). & Richards, 1991).

By high school, teens are spending more than half By high school, teens are spending more than half of their time in the company of their peers of their time in the company of their peers (Updegraff et al. 2001). (Updegraff et al. 2001).

Why are peer relationships Why are peer relationships important?important?

Developing high quality peer relationships and Developing high quality peer relationships and friendships are important because young people friendships are important because young people who have difficulties in developing or maintaining who have difficulties in developing or maintaining friendships are more likely to— friendships are more likely to—

Engage in aggressive behavior (Newcomb, Engage in aggressive behavior (Newcomb, Bukowski, & Pattee, 1993).Bukowski, & Pattee, 1993).

Report low academic achievement and high Report low academic achievement and high unemployment later in life (Woodward & unemployment later in life (Woodward & Fergusson, 1999).Fergusson, 1999).

Exhibit higher degrees of loneliness and Exhibit higher degrees of loneliness and depression (Parker, Rubin, Price, & de Rosier, depression (Parker, Rubin, Price, & de Rosier, 1995).1995).

Why are peer relationships Why are peer relationships important?important?

Children who are unable to form close or satisfying Children who are unable to form close or satisfying relationships with peers:relationships with peers:

Miss out an opportunities to learn social skills that will Miss out an opportunities to learn social skills that will be important throughout their lives such as skills be important throughout their lives such as skills needed to initiate and maintain social relationships and needed to initiate and maintain social relationships and to resolve social conflicts, including communication, to resolve social conflicts, including communication, compromise, and tact (Asher and others 1982). compromise, and tact (Asher and others 1982).

Miss opportunities to build a sense of social self-Miss opportunities to build a sense of social self-confidence. confidence.

May develop little faith in their own abilities to achieve May develop little faith in their own abilities to achieve interpersonal goals and, thus, are easily overwhelmed interpersonal goals and, thus, are easily overwhelmed by the normal ups and downs of social interaction.by the normal ups and downs of social interaction.

Why are peer relationships Why are peer relationships important?important?

May suffer from painful feelings of isolation May suffer from painful feelings of isolation (Asher and others 1984). (Asher and others 1984).

May ultimately become truant or drop out May ultimately become truant or drop out altogether (Kupersmidt 1983) (school may be an altogether (Kupersmidt 1983) (school may be an unpleasant place for the children). unpleasant place for the children).

May become vulnerable to the influence of May become vulnerable to the influence of delinquent or drug-abusing peers (Isaacs 1985). delinquent or drug-abusing peers (Isaacs 1985).

Functions of peer groupsFunctions of peer groups Provide a wide range of learning and Provide a wide range of learning and

opportunity to develop various social skills, such opportunity to develop various social skills, such as leadership, sharing or teamwork, and as leadership, sharing or teamwork, and empathyempathy

Offer the opportunity to experiment with new Offer the opportunity to experiment with new roles and interactions.roles and interactions.

Allow for self-exploration, emotional growth, and Allow for self-exploration, emotional growth, and moral and ethical development.moral and ethical development.

Assist social development (building social skills)Assist social development (building social skills) Assist emotional developmentAssist emotional development Serve as a source of infoServe as a source of info Teaches sex roles.Teaches sex roles. Serves as a practicing venue to adulthood.Serves as a practicing venue to adulthood. Teaches unity & collective behaviourTeaches unity & collective behaviour Managing competition, conflict and problem Managing competition, conflict and problem

solvingsolving

Research Findings on positive Research Findings on positive influence of peer relationshipinfluence of peer relationship

Peer relationship: Peer relationship: Are associated with self-esteem and contribute to Are associated with self-esteem and contribute to

forming self-image (Azmitia, 2002)forming self-image (Azmitia, 2002) Are related to social competence (Newcomb & Are related to social competence (Newcomb &

Bagwell, 1995) and enhanced leadership skills Bagwell, 1995) and enhanced leadership skills (Berndt, Hawkins, & Jiao, 1999).(Berndt, Hawkins, & Jiao, 1999).

Can buffer youth from the negative impact of Can buffer youth from the negative impact of family troubles (Gauze, Bukowski, Aquan-Assee, & family troubles (Gauze, Bukowski, Aquan-Assee, & Sippola, 1996; Bolger, Patterson, & Kupersmidt, Sippola, 1996; Bolger, Patterson, & Kupersmidt, 1998). 1998).

Influence academic achievement (Fleming, Cook, Influence academic achievement (Fleming, Cook, & Stone, 2002; Wentzel, Barry, & Caldwell, 2004).& Stone, 2002; Wentzel, Barry, & Caldwell, 2004).

Negative influence of peer Negative influence of peer relationshiprelationship

Peer relationship are also associated with: Peer relationship are also associated with: Experimentation with drugs, smoking cigarettes, Experimentation with drugs, smoking cigarettes,

alcohol use, marijuana use, and engagement in alcohol use, marijuana use, and engagement in illicit sexual behavior (Prinstein, Fetter, and La illicit sexual behavior (Prinstein, Fetter, and La Green 2001). Green 2001).

Vandalism,Vandalism, Bullying,Bullying, Stealing,Stealing, Early sex, unprotected sex and do have multiple Early sex, unprotected sex and do have multiple

partners. partners. Academic failure and school drop out.Academic failure and school drop out.

Peer Acceptance Peer Acceptance

The degree to which a child or adolescent is The degree to which a child or adolescent is socially accepted by peers; the level of peer socially accepted by peers; the level of peer popularitypopularity

Peer acceptance is measured by the quality Peer acceptance is measured by the quality rather than the quantity of a child or adolescent's rather than the quantity of a child or adolescent's relationships. relationships.

Peer Acceptance Peer Acceptance

Factors such as physical attractiveness, cultural Factors such as physical attractiveness, cultural traits, and , and disabilities disabilities affect the level of peer acceptance, with a child's the level of peer acceptance, with a child's degree of degree of social competencesocial competence being the best predictor of being the best predictor of peer acceptance. peer acceptance.

Children who are peer-accepted or popular have fewer Children who are peer-accepted or popular have fewer problems in middle and high school, and teens who are peer-problems in middle and high school, and teens who are peer-accepted have fewer emotional and social adjustment accepted have fewer emotional and social adjustment problems as adults. problems as adults.

Peer-accepted children may be shy or assertive, but they Peer-accepted children may be shy or assertive, but they often have well-developed communication skillsoften have well-developed communication skills

Peer Accepted children tend to:Peer Accepted children tend to:

Correctly interpret other children's body language and Correctly interpret other children's body language and tone of voice. Well-liked children can distinguish subtleties tone of voice. Well-liked children can distinguish subtleties in emotions. For example, they can distinguish between in emotions. For example, they can distinguish between angeranger directed toward them versus toward a parent. directed toward them versus toward a parent.

Directly respond to the statements and gestures of other Directly respond to the statements and gestures of other children. Well-liked children will say other children's children. Well-liked children will say other children's names, establish eye contact, and use names, establish eye contact, and use touchtouch to get to get attentionattention..

Peer Accepted children tend to:Peer Accepted children tend to:

Give reasons for their own statements and gestures (actions). Give reasons for their own statements and gestures (actions). For example, well-liked children will explain why they want to For example, well-liked children will explain why they want to do something the other child does not want to do. do something the other child does not want to do.

Cooperate with, show tact towards, and compromise with other Cooperate with, show tact towards, and compromise with other children, demonstrating the willingness to subordinate the self children, demonstrating the willingness to subordinate the self by modifying behavior and opinions in the interests of others. by modifying behavior and opinions in the interests of others. For example, when joining a new group where a conversation For example, when joining a new group where a conversation is already in progress, well-liked children will listen first, is already in progress, well-liked children will listen first, establishing a tentative presence in the group before speaking establishing a tentative presence in the group before speaking (even if it is to change the subject).(even if it is to change the subject).

Peer AcceptancePeer Acceptance

These skills are crucial in initiating and maintaining These skills are crucial in initiating and maintaining relationships, and in resolving conflicts. relationships, and in resolving conflicts.

By By contrastcontrast, rejected children tend either towards , rejected children tend either towards aggressive, aggressive, antisocial behaviorantisocial behavior, or withdrawn, , or withdrawn, depressive behavior. depressive behavior.

They also don't listen well, tend not to offer reasons They also don't listen well, tend not to offer reasons for their behavior, don't positively reinforce their for their behavior, don't positively reinforce their peers, and have trouble cooperating. peers, and have trouble cooperating.

Peer AcceptancePeer Acceptance

Antisocial children will interrupt people, dominate other Antisocial children will interrupt people, dominate other children, and either verbally or physically attack them.children, and either verbally or physically attack them.

Depressive or withdrawn children may be excessively reserved, Depressive or withdrawn children may be excessively reserved, submissive, anxious, and inhibited. submissive, anxious, and inhibited.

Competitiveness or dominance by itself is not necessarily Competitiveness or dominance by itself is not necessarily indicative of low peer acceptance. indicative of low peer acceptance.

In fact, popular children tend to have the characteristics of both In fact, popular children tend to have the characteristics of both competitiveness and friendliness.competitiveness and friendliness.

Peer AcceptancePeer Acceptance

Lack of opportunity to participate normally in peer Lack of opportunity to participate normally in peer interaction is especially problematic for children who differ interaction is especially problematic for children who differ in some obvious way, either culturally, racially, or through in some obvious way, either culturally, racially, or through some mental or physical some mental or physical disabilitydisability. Issues of peer . Issues of peer acceptance should be addressed as early as possible in acceptance should be addressed as early as possible in order to prevent loss of self-confidence and order to prevent loss of self-confidence and self-esteemself-esteem..

Peer pressurePeer pressure

The term peer pressure is often used to describe The term peer pressure is often used to describe instances where an individual feels indirectly instances where an individual feels indirectly pressured into changing their behavior to match pressured into changing their behavior to match that of their peers. that of their peers.

Taking up smoking and underage drinking are Taking up smoking and underage drinking are two of the best known examples. In spite of the two of the best known examples. In spite of the often negative connotations of the term, peer often negative connotations of the term, peer pressure can be used positively.pressure can be used positively.

CoclusionCoclusion

Peer relation is important in order for teenager develop Peer relation is important in order for teenager develop various skills of human livelihood and can have positive various skills of human livelihood and can have positive

and negative impact. and negative impact.