Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The role of reciprocity and proximity in junior high school friendships

  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The relationship of reciprocity, sex, and race to friendship proximity in adolescent friendships was studied. Intelligence, personality, physical attractiveness, popularity, and proximity were measured for 136 junior high school students. Subjects were classified as either having reciprocated or nonreciprocated friendships. Reciprocated adolescents were perceived as more attractive, had higher social status, and were more committed to their best friend than nonreciprocated adolescents. More black than white students were in the nonreciprocated group. White students had more in-school contact and black students more out-of-school contact with their friends.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asher, S., Oden, S., and Gottman, J. (1977). Children's friendships in school settings. In Katz, L. (ed.),Current Topics in Early Childhood Education (Vol. 1). Ablex Co., Norwood, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berndt, T. (1982). The features and effects of friendship in early adolescence.Child Develop. 53: 1447–1460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, M., and Drewry, D. (1985). Similarity and reciprocity in the friendships of elementary school children.Child Study J. 15: 251–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coates, D. (1984).Methodological issues in the study of peer relations in early adolescence. Unpublished manuscript.

  • Cohen, J. (1977). Sources of peer group homogeneity.Sociol. Educ. 50: 227–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crockett, L., Losoff, M., and Petersen, A. (1984). Perceptions of the peer group and friendship in early adolescence.J. Early Adoles. 4: 155–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eder, D., and Hallinan, M. (1978). Sex differences in children's friendships.Am. Sociol. Rev. 43: 237–250.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, J. (1983a). Examining theories of adolescent friendships. In Epstein, J., and Karweit, N. (eds.),Friends in School: Patterns of Selection and Influence in Secondary Schools. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, J. (1983b). Selection of friends in differently organized schools and classrooms. In Epstein, J., and Karweit, N. (eds.),Friends in School: Patterns of Selection and Influence in Secondary Schools. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fine, G. (1980). The natural history of preadolescent male friendship groups. In Foot, H., Chapman, A., and Smith, J. (eds.),Friendship and Social Relations in Children. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallinan, M. (1979). Structural effects on children's friendships and cliques.Social Psychol. Quart. 42: 43–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansell, S. (1981). Ego development and peer friendship networks.Sociol. Educ. 54: 51–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karweit, N. (1983). Extracurricular activities and friendship selection. In Epstein, J., and Karweit, N. (eds.),Friends in School: Patterns of Selection and Influence in Secondary Schools. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karweit, N., and Hansell, S. (1983). Sex differences in adolescent relationships: Friendship and status. In Epstein, J., and Karweit, N. (eds.),Friends in School: Patterns of Selection and Influence in Secondary Schools. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, K., and Weisz, J. (1982). Social cognition and behavior correlates of preadolescent chumship.Child Develop. 53: 1478–1484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, Z. (1980).Children's Friendships. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solano, C., and Ayers, M. (1984, March). Predicting satisfaction and commitment in adolescent friendships. Paper presented at the meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Psychology Program, Memphis State University, USA

    Marla Ayers (Graduate student)

  2. Department of Psychology, Wake Forest University, Box 7778, 27109, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

    M. L. Clark (Associated Professor of Psychology)

Authors
  1. M. L. Clark
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marla Ayers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This study was supported by a grant from the Wake Forest University Research and Publication Fund. A portion of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, Georgia, March 1985.

Received Ph.D. from University of Illinois. Currently studying the friendships and peer relations of children and adolescents.

Received M.A. from Wake Forest University. Current interests include child clinical, behavior modification, and the social relationships of children and adolescents.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Clark, M.L., Ayers, M. The role of reciprocity and proximity in junior high school friendships. J Youth Adolescence 17, 403–411 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537882

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537882

Keywords

Search

Navigation