PSYC 3450 Chapter Notes - Chapter 13: Parenting Styles, Sociometric Status, 18 Months

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3450
• Professor: Karl Hennig

Document Summary

Some theorists believe that peers may contribute as much (or even more) to a child s or an adolescent s development as adults do. They are that there are two social worlds of childhood: 1) adult/child interactions and 2) involving the society of one s peers. Webster"s dictionary defines a peer as one that is of equal standing with another . Developmentalists also think of peers as social equals or individuals who are operating at similar levels of behavioral complexity. Thus, children who differ somewhat in age could still be considered peers the significance of peer interaction. Early research on peer influence was heavily influenced by theorists from the ethological tradition who sought to determine the adaptive significance of child/child interactions. Although these interactions are somewhat unbalanced, these asymmetries may help children to acquire certain social competencies. One study revealed that the presence of younger peers may foster the development of compassion, caregiving and prosocial inclinations, assertiveness and leadership.