Friends' Similarity in Their Perceptions of Teacher Disciplinary Harshness: Peer Selection and Influence in Early Adolescent Classrooms

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Peers and Family as Context of Development

Abstract

We examined whether friends are similar in their views of teacher disciplinary harshness; specifically 1) whether students select friends with similar beliefs about teacher disciplinary harshness, or 2) whether students are influenced by their friends’ beliefs about teacher disciplinary harshness. We also assessed if these peer processes are different in classrooms with high and low teacher relatedness (e.g., teacher caring). Examining 46 fifth and sixth grade classrooms, we used Stochastic Actor-Based Modeling to assess classroom friendships in relation to teacher disciplinary harshness. Students select classroom friends with similar views of disciplinary harshness in the fall and in the spring. However, students do not influence their friends’ perceptions. These processes were consistent between classrooms with high and low teacher relatedness.

Authors

• Sarah E. McKellar, University of Pittsburgh

• Lydia Laninga-Wijnen, Utrecht University

• Allison M. Ryan, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor