Understanding Peer Influence in Children and Adolescents

The topic of peer influences has long been important to the field. This remarkable volume from distinguished editors and contributors proposes original and compelling conceptual models that will elucidate peer influence processes for researchers and students alike. In addition, many of the authors discuss general and specific implications of their work for prevention and intervention programs. This book would be an excellent text for advanced undergraduates, master's students, and beginning doctoral students in developmental, educational, school, and clinical psychology.--W. Andrew Collins, PhD, Morse-Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota

This volume brings together leading researchers to piece together the puzzle of peer influences, highlighting their mechanisms, moderators, contexts, and the potential for interventions that capitalize on positive peer processes. With this understanding, we can begin to consider the developmental supports that children and youth require individually and collectively to promote social adaptation. The picture of peer processes emerging from this volume is critical to informing the strategies and policies of a broad range of professionals responsible for children and youth.--Debra Pepler, PhD, LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution, York University

While it has long been known that adolescents influence one another, insufficient attention has been given to how, where, and when these influences occur. This first-rate volume considers the mechanisms and processes involved in peer influence from a variety of conceptual and theoretical viewpoints and presents a fascinating sampling of new research.--Willard W. Hartup, EdD, Regents' Professor Emeritus, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota

- Each chapter stands alone and provides unique insights....Useful and informative for anyone interested in working with children and adolescents....Use this book as a resource. Look up a topic in the index, or read one chapter at a time, with sticky notes ready to flag and comment on the themes that resonate with you and your work. It is worth it. --Prevention Researcher, 3/5/2010ƒƒ Prinstein and Dodge are to be commended for bringing together chapters that jointly provide, in one short and very readable volume, an accessible overview that delivers what is promised: an understanding of how peers influence children and adolescents. --Canadian Paychology, 2/3/2010