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Peer Relationships

  • Reference work entry
Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development

Synonyms

Peer group; Peer interactions; Peer relations; Peers

Definition

Interactions, both positive and negative, with same-age mates.

Description

Children’s interactions with same-age playmate are multileveled (individuals, relationships, and groups) and are quite socially complex. Like all relationships, peer relationships are essentially defined by the members’ characteristics including, style of interaction, as well as shared and unshared history of the members. Peer relationships are imbedded in the large peer group, which has its own set of interaction rules, hierarchy, and cohesiveness.

The basic aspect of peer relationships is individuals’ socially exchanging information over a period of time. Typically, these interactions are dyadic in nature, only involving two members and have a reciprocal interdependent style. The second level of interactions is relationships that have their own associated expectations, style, and emotions. Children’s dyadic peer relationships are each...

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References

  1. Kupersmidt, J. B., & Dodge, K. A. (Eds.). (2004). Children’s peer relations: From development to intervention. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

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  2. Rubin, K. H., Bukowski, W. M., & Parker, J. G. (2006). Peer interactions, relationships, and groups. In N. Eisenberg (Ed.), Handbook of child psychology, Vol. III (pp. 571–645). New York: Wiley.

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  3. Slee, P. T., & Rigby, K. (Eds.). (1998). Children’s peer relations. New York: Routledge.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Fort Hays State University, 600 Park St, Hays, KS, 67601, USA

    Janett M. Naylor

Authors
  1. Janett M. Naylor
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, 230 South 500 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, USA

    Sam Goldstein Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology MS 2C6, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri Ph.D. (Professor of Psychology) (Professor of Psychology)

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Naylor, J.M. (2011). Peer Relationships. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2098

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2098

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77579-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79061-9

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

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