ERIC Number: EJ1015224
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Oct
Pages: 28
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-930X
EISSN: N/A
Birds of a "Different" Feather: How Do Cross-Ethnic Friends Flock Together?
Echols, Leslie; Graham, Sandra
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Journal of Developmental Psychology, v59 n4 Article 4 p461-488 Oct 2013
This study examined how "homophily" (similarity) and "propinquity" (availability) simultaneously predict both unidirectional and reciprocal cross-ethnic friendships among early adolescents in ethnically diverse classrooms. In a sample of sixth-grade students, liking nominations were used as the indicator of friendship, and both unidirectional and reciprocal cross-ethnic liking nominations were strongly influenced by propinquity, particularly within friendship networks. Homophily appeared to have a greater influence on reciprocal cross-ethnic liking. Similar to previous research, high status ("cool") early adolescents were more likely to make unidirectional cross-ethnic liking nominations with lower-status peers. However, this effect diminished as classroom ethnic diversity increased, suggesting a unique relationship between classroom ethnic composition, peer status, and intergroup liking. The findings suggest that similarity, the availability of cross-ethnic peers in social networks, and peer status are salient predictors of cross-ethnic friendships, although the influence of each varies depending on whether the friendship is unidirectional or reciprocal. Implications for research on cross-ethnic friendships were discussed. (Contains 3 tables, 1 figure, and 2 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Friendship, Early Adolescents, Ethnic Diversity, Student Diversity, Grade 6, Peer Relationship, Racial Composition, Social Status, Peer Acceptance, Predictor Variables, Urban Schools, Grade Point Average, Academic Achievement, Physical Development, Puberty, Models, Questionnaires
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 - Research
Education Level: Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A