ERIC Number: EJ963718
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jan
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-930X
EISSN: N/A
The Dynamic Reality of Adolescent Peer Networks and Sense of Belonging
Faircloth, Beverly S.; Hamm, Jill V.
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Journal of Developmental Psychology, v57 n1 Article 5 p48-72 Jan 2011
Dynamic features of peer network experiences (membership fluidity and network interconnectedness) were examined for their role in African American and White early adolescents' sense of belonging in mathematics classrooms. Because these dynamic features are naturally present in adolescents' peer group affiliations, attention to them provides a more accurate representation of the peer experiences that adolescents actually encounter than research models that ignore these experiences. After controlling for fall classroom belonging, spring classroom belonging was greater for African American and seventh-grade students than for White and sixth-grade students. Multiple-group memberships promoted classroom belonging among African American and seventh-grade students but undermined belonging among White and sixth-grade students. Network stability did not differentiate belonging. Study limitations and implications regarding the nature of peer group experiences and the social bases of belonging are discussed. (Contains 2 figures, 1 footnote and 1 table.)
Descriptors: Academic Achievement, Adolescents, Peer Groups, Mathematics Instruction, Student Attitudes, African Americans, Whites, Educational Environment, Middle Schools, Grade 6, Grade 7, Surveys, Statistical Analysis, Validity, Reliability, Social Networks, Group Membership, Secondary School Mathematics
Wayne State University Press. The Leonard N. Simons Building, 4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309. Tel: 800-978-7323; Fax: 313-577-6131; Web site: http://wsupress.wayne.edu/journals/merrill/merrillj.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Grade 6; Grade 7; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A