Early adolescent peer orientation and adjustment during high school
A J Fuligni1, J S Eccles, B L Barber
1Department of Psychology, New York University, New York 10003, USA. fuligni@psych.nyu.edu
Developmental Psychology
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Early adolescents prioritizing peers over parents and school may face higher problem behaviors and lower academic achievement. This is linked to involvement with deviant peer groups, impacting long-term adjustment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
Background:
- Peer relationships significantly influence adolescent development.
- Understanding the long-term impact of early adolescent peer orientation is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term consequences of early adolescents' peer orientation on their high school adjustment.
- To investigate the mediating role of deviant peer group involvement in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving approximately 1,200 adolescents.
- Data collected via questionnaires in 7th and 10th/12th grades, supplemented by school academic records.
Main Results:
- Adolescents prioritizing peers over talents, academics, and parental rules showed increased problem behavior and lower academic achievement.
- Involvement in deviant peer groups mediated the negative adjustment outcomes.
- Seeking peer advice over parental advice had minimal long-term implications.
Conclusions:
- Extreme peer orientation in early adolescence, particularly when involving defiance of rules and academics, predicts poorer high school adjustment.
- Deviant peer group affiliation is a key factor linking this orientation to negative outcomes.
- Future research should consider peer dependence alongside supportive friendships in adolescent development.
Related Concept Videos
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...