Beyond Homophily: A Decade of Advances in Understanding Peer Influence Processes

2011/02/15 by Whitney A. Brechwald, Mitchell J. Prinstein · 15 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Youth Development and Social Support

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00721.x

openalex publication_date 2011/02/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

This article reviews empirical and theoretical contributions to a multidisciplinary understanding of peer influence processes in adolescence over the past decade. Five themes of peer influence research from this decade were identified, including a broadening of the range of behaviors for which peer influence occurs, distinguishing the sources of influence, probing the conditions under which influence is amplified/attenuated (moderators), testing theoretically based models of peer influence processes (mechanisms), and preliminary exploration of behavioral neuroscience perspectives on peer influence. This review highlights advances in each of these areas, underscores gaps in current knowledge of peer influence processes, and outlines important challenges for future research.

Citations

• Deviancy training in male adolescent friendships
• Age differences in resistance to peer influence.
• Social Identity Theory: Constructive and Critical Advances.
• Development of the adolescent brain: implications for executive function and social cognition
• A Theory of Social Comparison Processes

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