Human Growth and Development / Unit 10 HGD 1385 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Friendships, Cliques and Crowds
The idea
Adolescent peer relations come at three levels. Friendships are reciprocal relationships between two people. Cliques are small groups, about three to a dozen, who interact frequently, giving a manageable social world, support and belonging. Crowds are larger categories defined by shared reputations or images rather than actual interaction, such as jocks, brains or populars, often linked to social status.
In practice
A student who eats lunch with the same five friends, her clique, and is known across the school as one of the brains, her crowd.
Where people slip
Crowds form through selection, teens choosing similar peers, and socialization, peers growing more alike. Academic orientation, athleticism and appearance are primary sorting features. Exam items ask which level a description fits: interaction points to friendship or clique, reputation to crowd.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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