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Laninga, peer similarity

Q: The extent to which homophily in social networks can be explained by selection and influence processes depends on the behaviour under study. Explain

Adolescents select each other based on similarity in delinquency, alcohol, and tobacco use. Peer selection was less likely for internalizing symptoms, weapon carrying, aggression. Adolescents influence each other on internalizing problems and on some risk behaviours such as delinquency, alcohol use, and indirect aggression. Peer influence was less likely for smoking or direct aggression

Q: What kind of peer norms are there? Explain

Descriptive norms : typical behaviour in a group Injunctive norms : approval of behaviour in a group Popularity norms: the extent to which certain behaviours are associated with popularity in a group Research found that popularity norms enhanced friendship influence on risk attitudes and aggression

5 important questions on Laninga, peer similarity

Youth are often quite similar to their friends, which can be because of selection and influence processes. Explain the difference

Selection: adolescents cluster with peers based on pre-existing similarities in behaviours, attitudes, or values.

Influence: occurs when adolescents adjust their behaviours, attitudes, or values to those of their peers.

Similarity selection may occur through preferential attraction, default selection.
Influence toward similarity may occur through mutual encouragement, imitation, peer pressure.

The extent to which homophily in social networks can be explained by selection and influence processes depends on the behaviour under study. Explain

Adolescents select each other based on similarity in delinquency, alcohol, and tobacco use. Peer selection was less likely for internalizing symptoms, weapon carrying, aggression.

Adolescents influence each other on internalizing problems and on some risk behaviours such as delinquency, alcohol use, and indirect aggression. Peer influence was less likely for smoking or direct aggression

Peer influence could occur in active or passive ways. Explain:

Active peer influence: the process where peers actively stimulate certain behaviours in adolescents, which may involve mutual encouragement and peer pressure.

Passive: more implicit influence process, involving imitation or normative influence.

Research indicates that adolescents are more likely to be influenced passively (imitation or conformity to popularity norms) than actively (peer pressure)

What is the social projection model

The tendency to project that most people act and believe as you do. They think their personal behaviours are shared by the environment, so they are doing the same, whereas this might not be the case

What kind of peer norms are there? Explain

Descriptive norms: typical behaviour in a group
Injunctive norms: approval of behaviour in a group
Popularity norms: the extent to which certain behaviours are associated with popularity in a group

Research found that popularity norms enhanced friendship influence on risk attitudes and aggression

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Risk behaviour and addiction

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