PSYC 1103 Lecture 11: Developmental Psychology (Peer Relations)
PSYC 1103 Lecture 11– Developmental Psychology (Peer Relations)
➢Friendships
○ Unique friendships are characterized by:
■ Reciprocity (both consider the other to be their friend)
■ Affection
■ Voluntary commitment (they do not need to be in the relationship, can
choose to end it if they want)
○ Friendships may be formed due to:
■ Proximity (neighbor, co-worker, classmate, etc.)
■ Similarities (character traits, values, interests, etc.)
● Contrary to the common belief that opposites attract
■ Shared interests/activities
■ Shared values/goals
● Ex: similar political or religious beliefs, similar aspirations in life
○ Developmental shifts
■ Young children may become friends for superficial reasons
● Ex: becoming friends with someone who owns a lot of toys or has
a pool at their house
■ Older children and adolescents focus more on loyalty and the other
person’s character
○ Afford provisions (the benefits of friendships)
■ Social skills
■ Companionship
■ Validation
■ Guidance and support
■ Self-disclosure or intimate exchange
● Gender differences→ females report self-disclosure as a more
central value of friendships compared to males
○ Impact of friendships on development depends on:
■ Quality of friendship (positive or negative)
■ Types of interactions
○ Negative aspects of friendships
■Co-rumination: excessive discussion of certain problems (speculating,
dwelling on negative feelings, rehashing)
● Speaking about problems is beneficial (e.g. talk therapy), but
over-discussing the issue is associated with internalizing
difficulties (increase in anxiety, depression)
● More common among females
○ When given 16 minutes to discuss a problem, girls used
the entire period to talk about the problem, boys used their
time more creatively, to avoid speaking about the problem
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Document Summary
Psyc 1103 lecture 11 developmental psychology (peer relations) Reciprocity (both consider the other to be their friend) Voluntary commitment (they do not need to be in the relationship, can choose to end it if they want) Contrary to the common belief that opposites attract. Ex: similar political or religious beliefs, similar aspirations in life. Young children may become friends for superficial reasons. Ex: becoming friends with someone who owns a lot of toys or has a pool at their house. Older children and adolescents focus more on loyalty and the other person"s character. Gender differences females report self-disclosure as a more central value of friendships compared to males. Impact of friendships on development depends on: Co-rumination : excessive discussion of certain problems (speculating, dwelling on negative feelings, rehashing) Speaking about problems is beneficial (e. g. talk therapy), but over-discussing the issue is associated with internalizing difficulties (increase in anxiety, depression)