Perdev Unit 3 lesson 3

peer

is defined as an equal of a person - someone of the same rank, or status or background as an individual.

Peers Provide Emotional Support

You turn to your peers during difficult times in your lives. You gravitate toward your peers because of the belief that they understand or went through a similar situation you are currently experiencing

Peers Help Develop Skills

Constant interaction with your peers creates opportunities to practice your life skills that you will need all throughout adulthood

Leadership Skills

. In everyday encounters with peers, you learn how to compromise, negotiate, solve conflicts, be creative and also become flexible in adapting to different situations – just a few skills to help you become good leaders in the future.

Social Skills

. You practice the rules of socializing mostly through your peers. It is through them that you learn how to be tactful and be sensitive to others’ needs and feelings.

Peers Help Mold Behaviors and Beliefs

Because there is a lot of time spent with peers, certain behavior and beliefs are then influenced and reinforced by them.

Physical Changes

. Changes in physical appearance are most evident in this stage.

Cognitive Changes

. It is seen in the chart that some adolescents are already able to organize their thoughts and ideas during these years.

Socio-emotional Changes

. This domain is probably the most active in terms of change.

Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory .

believes that humans have the innate tendency to evaluate themselves in various aspects of their lives

Upward Comparison

This type of comparison takes place when you compare yourself against someone whom you perceive as better or more successful than you.

Downward Comparison

happens when you measure yourself against someone who is in a worse situation than you are.

Body Image

- At a period where physical changes are most evident in adolescents, comparison with others may lead to:

Outlook in Life

- Comparing oneself may have effects on self-esteem and one's worth.

Social Media

- In this digital age, social networking sites are easily arenas for comparing one's self with others.

Gratitude is key

. Learn to appreciate the positive things in your life. There is always a reason to be grateful every day.

Be inspired

. Instead of cultivating feelings of envy and helplessness, let the differences that exist between you and others become an instrument for your own goals.

Compete with yourself

. Although comparing yourself to others is inevitable, as it is part of human nature, focus should be directed towards the self.

Managing Peer Social Comparison

comparing yourself against others may be healthy or unhealthy for you. Because it is an inevitable part of the adolescence stage, it is important for you to learn how to cope with comparisons and keep yourself on the positive track to adulthood.

Effects of Peer Social Comparison

When you compare yourself against your peers, there are always two ends of the spectrum that can happen as a result: the comparison can be a source of inspiration or motivation to better oneself; or it can be a source of insecurity and low self-worth.