1-219 - Considerations in the Assessment of Social Context and Peer Network Structure

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Peer relations research needs to identify and decompose the interpersonal dynamics that occur at multiple levels of social complexity including the individuals, the dyad and the group. Recent research has shown that social context exerts unique forms of social influence that can modify effects from the level of the individual or dyad.

The papers in this symposium present the challenges and solutions to analyzing the social context of the peer group. Three methodologically focused papers describe both methodological and conceptual considerations in the assessment of social context. Discussion will be given to how methodological innovations, such as dyadic, group, and social network model, can be used to address social contextual effects in developmental science research.

The first presentation describes three ways scholars have conceptualized social context. Specifically, the discussion of the role of social context at the dyadic and social network level will be provided. The second presentation will consider a variety of ways to consider the influence of social network structure at the classroom level. Specifically, the developmental implications of variation in calculations of social network structures across classrooms will be provided. The third presentation discusses the need to consider how we assess social network structure. This paper will look at various forms of calculating social network structure using social network analysis in order to consider similarities, differences, potential strengths, and potential weaknesses in these various calculations. A common theme across all presentations will be a discussion of the importance of appropriately matching statistical methodology to research goals.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Chair

• Dawn DeLay, Arizona State University

Discussant

• Toon Cillessen, Radboud University

Individual Presentations

• Methodological Similarities and Differences in the Assessment of Peer Relationship Dynamics - Presenting Author: Dawn DeLay, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Adam A. Rogers, Brigham Young University; Non-Presenting Author: Brett Laursen, Florida Atlantic University; Non-Presenting Author: Noona Kiuru, University of Jyväskylä; Non-Presenting Author: Thomas A Kindermann, Portland State University; Non-Presenting Author: Rene Veenstra, University of Groningen; Non-Presenting Author: Jari-Erik Nurmi, University of Jyvaskyla

• Practical and Theoretical Implication of Different Analyses on Friendship Nominations, Peer Acceptance, and Rejection - Presenting Author: Jonathan Santo, University of Nebraska Omaha; Non-Presenting Author: Felicia Meyer, Concordia University; Non-Presenting Author: William M. Bukowski, Concordia University

• Toward a Conceptualization of Social Network Status - Presenting Author: Naomi Andrews, York University; Non-Presenting Author: Carol Lynn Martin, Arizona State University