Role of Peer Group in Social Development during Childhood.

In this article, we will Elucidate the Role of Peer Group in Social Development during Childhood.

Role of Peer Group in Social Development during Childhood:

A Peer group is a group of equals. Same-age, same-sex children assemble into informal peer groups during the school groups. These groups are small, loosely organised groups whose membership changes frequently between ages 6 to 9.
Peer groups have a status hierarchy among the members. Their groups have become more structured, more formalised, more exclusive by the time children are in 5th or 6th grade.
School-age children expect each other to follow social norms that promote courtesy, fair play and respect for others (Hartup). Cooperation is a frequently chosen conflict resolution strategy among girls, while boys favour competition (Crick & Ladd).

Peers transmit information about attitudes and values and influence each other’s behaviour through modelling and reinforcement.
Conformity is the pillar of the peer group structure. If the child’s moral reasoning leads her/him to be conscious of rules and to be viewed as ‘good’, school children conform to the group because they value their peers’ opinions even more than those of adults.
Studies across cultures have shown that the tendencies for children to follow peers are not unavoidable. These tendencies depend upon socialising experiences of children.

For peer acceptance social competence is important. “Social competence is reflected in children’s ability to sense what is happening in social groups, in a high degree of responsiveness to others and in an understanding that relationships develop slowly over time” (Lefrancois).
Two methods, Peer Ratings or Peer Nominations assess peer acceptance or rejection (sociometric status).