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Instructions of PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups
FRIENDSHIPS AND PEER GROUPS
Everyone deserves the opportunity to have positive peer relationships. However, why are these peer relationships easy for some children to obtain and more difficult for others? How do children learn the ways of friendship—to be a good friend to others and know how to obtain, keep, and make good friends for themselves? What are the characteristics of positive peer relationships? What qualities and behaviors in children enable positive peer relationships to form?
For this Assignment, you will examine peer relationships during middle childhood and reflect on how early attachment relationships with caregivers influences relationships during this period. You will also analyze the positive and negative impact of peer relationships during this stage of development.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this Assignment.
To prepare:
Review the chapter readings, primarily focusing on Chapter 13 in your course text and the Week 4 required articles.
Think about how, and why, children make friends during middle childhood.
Think about why some children become popular while others are rejected. Consider the logical connection between early formation of attachment with caregivers, and the development of future relationships in middle childhood.
The Assignment (2–3 pages):
Reflect on the development of peer relationships. Provide specific support from the Week 4 readings for each of the following prompts. Include (but do not necessarily limit yourself to) the following:
Explain how secure attachment formation with caregivers during infancy might build a bridge to the formation of positive peer relationships during middle childhood.
Analyze friendships that occur throughout middle childhood. How do these relationships change during this span of time?
Explain the positive and negative impact of peer relationships during this time.
Summarize your thoughts about the role of adults in children’s socialization, particularly as it relates to the development of friendships and peer groups. Be sure to provide examples and justify your response.
Note: Support the responses within your Assignment with evidence from the course Learning Resources. Provide a Reference List for resources you used for this Assignment. Title page and Reference List do not count toward the 2- to 3-page paper length. Use APA style for in-text citations and references.
BY DAY 7
Submit your Assignment by Day 7.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
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Rubric
PSYC_2002_Week4_Assignment_Rubric
PSYC_2002_Week4_Assignment_Rubric | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Criteria | Ratings | Pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExplanation of how secure attachment formation with caregivers during infancy might build a bridge to the formation of positive peer relationships during middle childhood. |
| 15 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalysis of friendships that occur throughout middle childhood, including an explanation about how these relationships change during this span of time. |
| 15 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExplanation of the positive and negative impact of peer relationships during this time. |
| 10 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSummary of personal thoughts about the role of adults in children’s socialization, particularly as it relates to the development of friendships and peer groups. Inclusion of examples and justification for response. |
| 10 pts | |||||
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuality of Writing |
| 10 pts | |||||
Total Points: 60 | |||||||
Step-By-Step Guide on PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups
INTRODUCTION TO PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups
This Owlisdom How-To guide of PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups assignment involves reflecting on the development of peer relationships in middle childhood by analysing the influence of early attachment, the evolution of friendships, and the role of adults in socialisation. The goal of PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups is to understand how these factors contribute to children’s social development and to propose strategies for creating supportive peer environments.
INTRODUCTION
- Introduce the purpose of the assignment and the key topics that will be covered.
- Briefly mention the importance of understanding friendships and peer relationships in the context of a child’s development.
Example
Friendships and peer relationships are essential components of a child’s social development, particularly during middle childhood, a period marked by increasing autonomy from parents and a greater reliance on social interactions with peers. Understanding the complexities of these relationships involves examining the nature of early attachment with caregivers and its influence on later social interactions, as well as the dynamics that govern peer acceptance and rejection.
Explain how secure attachment formation with caregivers during infancy might build a bridge to the formation of positive peer relationships during middle childhood.
SECURE ATTACHMENT AND ITS BRIDGE TO POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS
In this section of PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups, we will discuss secure attachment and its role in building positive peer relationships.
- Explain how secure attachment formed during infancy influences the development of positive peer relationships in middle childhood.
- Use research to support your explanation.
Example
The formation of secure attachment in infancy lays the groundwork for the development of healthy peer relationships during middle childhood. Securely attached children who have experienced consistent, responsive, and sensitive care are more likely to develop a sense of trust and safety about the world around them (Miljkovitch et al., 2021). This foundational trust facilitates more positive interactions with peers as these children tend to exhibit better emotional regulation, greater social competence, and a more positive self-concept. These traits make them more approachable and attractive as friends to their peers. Conversely, children with insecure attachments may struggle with trust, exhibit fear of rejection, or show less positive social behaviour, making peer interactions more challenging. Additionally, secure attachment promotes resilience in the face of social challenges, equipping children with the tools to recover from social setbacks and maintain a positive social outlook.
Analyse friendships that occur throughout middle childhood. How do these relationships change during this span of time?
EVOLUTION OF FRIENDSHIPS IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD
In this section of PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups, we will discuss the evolution of friendships in middle childhood.
- Discuss how friendships evolve during middle childhood, transitioning from activity-based interactions to more complex, emotionally supportive relationships.
- Highlight the skills children develop through these friendships.
Example
During middle childhood, friendships evolve from largely activity-based interactions to more complex, emotionally supportive relationships. Younger children might consider someone a friend because they share toys or play together, but as they grow, friendship criteria shift towards trust, mutual support, and shared values. Children learn to negotiate, cooperate, and empathise, which are crucial skills for maintaining deeper, more stable friendships. This development mirrors their cognitive and emotional maturation as they become capable of understanding others’ perspectives and managing their emotional responses in socially appropriate ways. These evolving friendships also serve as a practice ground for future adult relationships, teaching children about loyalty, conflict resolution, and mutual respect.
Explain the positive and negative impact of peer relationships during this time.
IMPACT OF PEER RELATIONSHIPS
In this section of PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups, we will discuss the impact of peer relationships.
- Analyse both the positive and negative impacts of peer relationships during middle childhood.
- Provide examples and cite relevant research.
Positive Impacts
Peer relationships during middle childhood play a critical role in the psychological and social development of children. They provide a context in which children can practice social skills, develop a sense of identity, and gain a feeling of belonging. Through interactions with peers, children learn to navigate the social world, understanding complex social cues and norms (Miljkovitch et al., 2021). Positive peer relationships are linked to higher self-esteem, better school adjustment, and lower levels of depression and anxiety.
Negative Impacts
Conversely, negative peer interactions, such as bullying or social exclusion, can have detrimental effects on a child’s development. Children who are rejected or bullied by peers are at a higher risk for academic problems, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, peer pressure can lead to risky behaviours as children strive to conform to group norms or gain acceptance, which might conflict with their values or safety.
Summarise your thoughts about the role of adults in children’s socialisation, particularly as it relates to the development of friendships and peer groups. Be sure to provide examples and justify your response.
THE ROLE OF ADULTS IN CHILDREN’S SOCIALIZATION
In this section of PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups, we will discuss the role of adults in children’s socialisation.
- Summarise the role of adults in children’s socialisation, particularly in the development of friendships and peer groups.
- Provide examples of effective adult interventions and strategies.
Example
Adults play a crucial role in guiding and supporting children’s social development. Parents, teachers, and other caregivers can model positive social behaviour and offer direct guidance on managing conflicts and building friendships. Adults can create environments that encourage inclusive and respectful interactions, thus fostering a “caring community” within schools and other social settings. For example, teachers can use classroom projects that require collaboration, which naturally builds interpersonal skills and peer relationships. Moreover, by actively monitoring the social dynamics within these settings, adults can identify and address potential problems early, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to develop positive peer relationships (Feldman, 2022, Chapter 13). In addition, adult interventions in cases of bullying or exclusion are critical to maintaining a safe social environment. Adults can also facilitate discussions about empathy and respect, which are crucial for the development of healthy peer relationships.
CONCLUSION
We will discuss the conclusion in this section of PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups.
- Summarise the key points discussed in the assignment and reflect on the implications for supporting children’s social development.
- Emphasise the importance of secure attachments, positive peer interactions, and adult involvement.
Example
The quality of early attachment relationships significantly influences children’s ability to form and maintain healthy peer relationships during middle childhood. Secure early attachments foster trust, empathy, and a positive self-image, which facilitate smoother interactions with peers. As children grow, their friendships become more complex and emotionally significant, impacting their social development and emotional well-being. Adults play an indispensable role in this process by providing the necessary support and guidance to nurture these relationships. Understanding these dynamics helps in crafting interventions and educational practices that promote positive social interactions and mitigate the impacts of negative peer experiences, thereby supporting the holistic development of children into socially competent individuals.
CLOSING
This PSYC 2002 4-2 Friendships and Peer Groups assignment has explored the development of peer relationships in middle childhood, emphasising the influence of secure attachment, the evolution of friendships, and the role of adults in socialisation. By understanding these dynamics, educators and parents can better support children in forming positive peer relationships and navigating the social challenges of middle childhood. In the next module of PSYC 2002, we will explore the 5-1 Discussion.
REFERENCES
Feldman, R. S. (2022). Child development (9th ed.). Pearson.
Miljkovitch, R., Mallet, P., Moss, E., Sirparanta, A., Pascuzzo, K., & Zdebik, M. A. (2021). Adolescents’ attachment to parents and peers: Links to young adulthood friendship quality. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(5), 1441–1452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-01962-y
