Abstract
Adolescence is characterised as a period of social re-orientation towards peer relationships, entailing the emergence of sophisticated social abilities. Two studies (Study 1: N=42, age 13-17; Study 2: N=81, age 13-16) investigated age group differences in the impact of relationship reciprocation within school-based social networks on an experimental measure of cooperation behaviour. Results suggest development between mid- and late adolescence in the extent to which reciprocation of social ties predicted resource allocation. With increasing age group, investment decisions increasingly reflected the degree to which peers reciprocated feelings of friendship. This result may reflect social cognitive development, which could facilitate the ability to navigate an increasingly complex social world in adolescence and promote positive and enduring relationships into adulthood.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1489–1506 |
Journal | Child Development |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 31 Jul 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 11 Sept 2015 |
Keywords
- Adolescence
- Social networks
- reciprocation
- Dictator Game
- Social cognition