peer group
Quick Summary
Peer groups are a significant aspect of adolescent development, providing support, security, and guidance during a time of transition. While cultural stereotypes suggest a strong divergence from family values, research indicates that adolescents often choose peers who share similar attitudes and values to those of their parents.1
Peer socialization begins to develop between the ages of two and five, shifting from solitary play to more interactive group play. Peer pressure, a related concept, is the feeling that one must conform to the actions of their age and social group to gain acceptance or respect. Despite peer influence, the family remains a highly influential institution throughout an adolescent's development.231
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- bullyingBackground factors
Over the course of adolescence, peer groups become increasingly important and in some cases eclipse parental influences. As within the family, exposure to aggression in the peer group is associated with bullying behaviour. There is a strong tendency for bullies to be friends with other bullies in their class or…
Read MoreOver the course of adolescence, peer groups become increasingly important and in some cases eclipse parental influences. As within the family, exposure to aggression in the peer group is associated with bullying behaviour. There is a strong tendency for bullies to be friends with other bullies in their class or…
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human behaviourPeer socializationDuring the first two years of life, infants do not spontaneously seek out other children for interaction or for pleasure. Although six-month-old infants may look at and vocalize to other infants, they do not initiate reciprocal social play with them. However, between two…
Read MoreDuring the first two years of life, infants do not spontaneously seek out other children for interaction or for pleasure. Although six-month-old infants may look at and vocalize to other infants, they do not initiate reciprocal social play with them. However, between two…
Read More- human behaviourThe social context
…of the marked importance of peer groups. The adolescent comes to rely heavily on the peer group for support, security, and guidance during a time when such things are urgently needed and since perhaps only others experiencing the same transition can be relied upon to understand what that experience is.…
Read More…of the marked importance of peer groups. The adolescent comes to rely heavily on the peer group for support, security, and guidance during a time when such things are urgently needed and since perhaps only others experiencing the same transition can be relied upon to understand what that experience is.…
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languageChanges through time…the language habits of their peer groups once they have made contacts with them in and out of school.
Read More…the language habits of their peer groups once they have made contacts with them in and out of school.
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public opinionEnvironmental factors…is the influence of the social environment: family, friends, neighbourhood, place of work, religious community, or school. People usually adjust their attitudes to conform to those that are most prevalent in the social groups to which they belong. Researchers have found, for example, that if someone in the United States…
Read More…is the influence of the social environment: family, friends, neighbourhood, place of work, religious community, or school. People usually adjust their attitudes to conform to those that are most prevalent in the social groups to which they belong. Researchers have found, for example, that if someone in the United States…
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