Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
07:56
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
10.2K
The Contribution of Peer Values to Children's Values and Behavior
Maya Benish-Weisman1, Shaul Oreg1, Yair Berson2,3
1The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|June 18, 2021
Summary
Peer values significantly influence children's values and behaviors, with girls' peer influence being particularly strong across genders. These effects are more pronounced in older children, especially boys.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Child Development
Background:
- Personal values shape perceptions, judgments, and behaviors.
- Limited research exists on factors influencing children's values beyond the family environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of peers' values on children's values and behaviors.
- To examine gender differences in peer influence on values.
- To explore age-related patterns in peer value transmission.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study utilizing data from 15,008 children (Grades 3-9).
- Included homeroom teacher reports on the behaviors of 3,476 children.
- Analyzed correlations between peer values, children's self-endorsed values, and child behavior.
Main Results:
- Peer values positively correlated with children's corresponding values.
- Peer values indirectly influenced child behavior through children's values (except for self-transcendence values).
- Female peers exhibited stronger influence on both girls' and boys' values; older children, particularly boys, showed heightened peer value effects.
Conclusions:
- Peer influence is a significant factor in children's value development and behavioral outcomes.
- Gender and age moderate the impact of peer values.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering peer dynamics in understanding child development and socialization.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
245
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....
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....
245
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
60
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
60
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.5K
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...
5.5K
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
49
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...
49
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
127
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
127
01:29Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
53
Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or...
53