Middle Childhood and Adolescence
Middle Childhood and Adolescence Development
PSY/375
1-24-11
Deborah Wilkerson
Middle Childhood and Adolescence Development
Changes in Peer Relationships in Middle Childhood and Adolescence Statistics say that in the stages in middle adolescence 30% of the child’s social life and
interactions there are a great stage of peer pressure. These results were compared to the 10% that
is experienced during the early childhood. They show that they are competent by demonstrating
their behaviors in these peer groups. During the elementary years in school, children have to
prove to others that they understand and that they are capable of handling the different situations
they find themselves in. They must keep a certain criteria in order to have friends. The main
concern during these peer groups is to be accepted and most of these concerns are experienced
during middle childhood. Researchers have been focusing in the friendship among the children.
Friendship is one of the most important parts of the social group between early stages of
childhood. Friends fill that special need we have inside and for a child’s development that is one
of the most important parts. They fulfill the special needs and they help with communication,
interaction, acceptance, companionship and social skills.
Peer is more related to the social and popularity status and its acceptance and friendship
represents more that relationship that is built on appreciation, respect and most importantly being
liked. When the child has reached its adolescence stage, they will experience support from their
friends and this will help in their social skills. When they are younger, they don’t experience this
as much. So, the more friends they have, the more acceptances they will feel from the larger
peers.
Adolescent Egocentrism
Jean Piaget theory of cognitive development derived from concept of egocentrism.
PSY/375
1-24-11
Deborah Wilkerson
Middle Childhood and Adolescence Development
Changes in Peer Relationships in Middle Childhood and Adolescence Statistics say that in the stages in middle adolescence 30% of the child’s social life and
interactions there are a great stage of peer pressure. These results were compared to the 10% that
is experienced during the early childhood. They show that they are competent by demonstrating
their behaviors in these peer groups. During the elementary years in school, children have to
prove to others that they understand and that they are capable of handling the different situations
they find themselves in. They must keep a certain criteria in order to have friends. The main
concern during these peer groups is to be accepted and most of these concerns are experienced
during middle childhood. Researchers have been focusing in the friendship among the children.
Friendship is one of the most important parts of the social group between early stages of
childhood. Friends fill that special need we have inside and for a child’s development that is one
of the most important parts. They fulfill the special needs and they help with communication,
interaction, acceptance, companionship and social skills.
Peer is more related to the social and popularity status and its acceptance and friendship
represents more that relationship that is built on appreciation, respect and most importantly being
liked. When the child has reached its adolescence stage, they will experience support from their
friends and this will help in their social skills. When they are younger, they don’t experience this
as much. So, the more friends they have, the more acceptances they will feel from the larger
peers.
Adolescent Egocentrism
Jean Piaget theory of cognitive development derived from concept of egocentrism.
References: Middle Childhood to Middle Adolescence: Development from Ages 8 to 18, by L.B. Blume, M.J. Zembar, 2007 edition, p. 178-183. "Four Domains, Five Stages: A Summary of Portrait of Interpersonal Understanding, " by R.S. Selman, In The Growth of Interpersonal Understanding Developmental and Clinical Implications ((pp136 - 147), 1980 New York: Academic. Elkind, D. (1967). Egocentrism in adolescence. Child Development, 38, 1025-1034. Sanrock W. John (2007). Child Development. Mc Graw Hill Companies.