Peer Status andPeer Status andGroup EntryGroup Entry

in Middle Childhoodin Middle Childhood

Michael Hoerger

Importance of FriendshipsImportance of Friendships

• 10% of children have few or no close 10% of children have few or no close friendsfriends

• ““Peer interaction is not a superficial luxury Peer interaction is not a superficial luxury to be enjoyed by some children and not by to be enjoyed by some children and not by others, but is a necessity in childhood others, but is a necessity in childhood socialization.”socialization.”

Outcomes of Poor Social SkillsOutcomes of Poor Social Skills

As Children…As Children…• Bad grades/dropout, social avoidance, Bad grades/dropout, social avoidance,

mistreated by peers, delinquencymistreated by peers, delinquency

As Adults…As Adults…• Psychological problems, social anxiety, Psychological problems, social anxiety,

suicidesuicide

Sample StudySample Study

• Gather boys for 8 hour-long sessionsGather boys for 8 hour-long sessions• 8 boys per group, with groups shuffled8 boys per group, with groups shuffled• Structured and free playStructured and free play• Raters code through two-way mirrorRaters code through two-way mirror• Sociometric ratings madeSociometric ratings made• Found 5 social status groupsFound 5 social status groups

Social Status GroupsSocial Status Groups

1.1. Popular – well-liked, social hubPopular – well-liked, social hub

2.2. Controversial – love / hateControversial – love / hate

3.3. Average – the leftoversAverage – the leftovers

4.4. Neglected – ignored, isolatedNeglected – ignored, isolated

5.5. Rejected – dislikedRejected – disliked

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Popular

Controversial

Average

Neglected

Rejected

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Session #

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Popular

Average

Rejected

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PopularPopular

• Most attractiveMost attractive• LeadersLeaders• Good at sharingGood at sharing• Make suggestions, but not aggressiveMake suggestions, but not aggressive• Possessive of objects, but can get away with Possessive of objects, but can get away with

itit• Least likely to be reprimandedLeast likely to be reprimanded

ControversialControversial

• Prefer to spend little time in solitary Prefer to spend little time in solitary playplay

• Highly cooperative & aggressiveHighly cooperative & aggressive• Most reprimandedMost reprimanded• Generally have some saving grace Generally have some saving grace

(high intelligence, comic, etc.) that (high intelligence, comic, etc.) that keeps them from social rejectionkeeps them from social rejection

NeglectedNeglected

• Talk too much at first and then get ignoredTalk too much at first and then get ignored

• Not hated (unlike the rejected group)Not hated (unlike the rejected group)

• Respond well to a new environmentRespond well to a new environment

RejectedRejected

• Aggressive, inappropriate play, hostile, start Aggressive, inappropriate play, hostile, start argumentsarguments

• Possessive of objects, and can’t get away Possessive of objects, and can’t get away with it (unlike populars)with it (unlike populars)

• Don’t stay on taskDon’t stay on task

Entering a Peer GroupEntering a Peer Group

• Applies to joining groups, making friends, Applies to joining groups, making friends, interacting in meetings, getting datesinteracting in meetings, getting dates

• Rejection is the normRejection is the norm• Predictors of success:Predictors of success:

• Sit back and watch before joining inSit back and watch before joining in• Make relevant or productive commentsMake relevant or productive comments• Don’t mind rejectionDon’t mind rejection

““Often, though not always, the people who Often, though not always, the people who do not like us are the same people that do not like us are the same people that we do not especially like”we do not especially like”

--Gershen Kaufman--Gershen Kaufman

Michael HoergerMichael Hoerger

To cite this lecture:To cite this lecture:• Hoerger, M. (2007, February 26). Hoerger, M. (2007, February 26). Peer Status Peer Status

and Group Entryand Group Entry. Presented at a PSY 220 . Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan University.lecture at Central Michigan University.