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Peer influence on gender identity development in adolescence.
Olga Kornienko1, Carlos E Santos2, Carol Lynn Martin3
1Department of Psychology, Arizona State University.
Developmental Psychology
|September 2, 2016
Summary
Adolescent gender identity (GI) is influenced by peers, particularly concerning intergroup bias and conformity pressure. However, peer influence does not significantly affect how typical or content adolescents feel with their gender.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for gender identity (GI) development.
- Peers significantly influence socialization of gendered behavior.
- Previous research has not examined peer influences on GI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peer influences on four dimensions of adolescent GI.
- To examine these influences in a diverse sample of 7th and 8th graders.
- To differentiate peer effects on between-gender versus within-gender GI aspects.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal social network modeling approach.
- Analysis of racially and ethnically diverse 7th and 8th graders (N = 670).
- Controlled for friend selection based on gender, typicality, and contentedness.
Main Results:
- Significant peer influence found on intergroup bias (7th and 8th graders) and felt pressure for gender conformity (8th graders).
- No significant peer influence detected on gender typicality or contentedness.
- Peer socialization effects remained significant after controlling for selection effects.
Conclusions:
- Peers play a role in shaping between-gender aspects of adolescent GI.
- Within-gender aspects of GI appear less susceptible to peer influence.
- Longitudinal social network analysis offers valuable insights into peer socialization in gender development.
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