Author Question: What functions do friendships, like that of Sandy and Suzanne, serve for children and adolescents? ... (Read 61 times)

sjones · **on:** Jun 20, 2018

What functions do friendships, like that of Sandy and Suzanne, serve for children and adolescents? With these functions in mind, explain why Sandy is torn about whether to be truthful with Mr. Wadsworth.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Draw on research findings regarding the effective use of reinforcement and punishment in the classroom to describe how you might improve on Ms. Stanton's chip strategy.

What will be an ideal response?

braelync · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Children's and adolescents' friendships serve several purposes, including the following:
Friends are powerful socialization agents who encourage appropriate ways of acting.
Peer interactions provide an arena for learning and practicing social skills.
Friends provide social and emotional support.
Friendships afford youngsters the opportunity to engage in activities that they find mutually meaningful and enjoyable.
Thus Sandy is faced with a difficult decision. She must choose between her obligations to her friend and her responsibilities to Mr. Wadsworth. She no doubt realizes that being truthful with Mr. Wadsworth will result in the loss of Suzanne's friendship and its many benefits.

Answer to Question 2

There are many possible answers to this question. Following are examples:
Research indicates that reinforcement and punishment used in combination are more likely to be effective than using just one or the other. The chip strategy focuses more on what Jefferson should not do than on what he should do. Ms. Stanton occasionally praises Jefferson for appropriate behavior, but perhaps concrete reinforcers for desired behaviors (e.g., points earned toward a desired object or privilege) might be helpful.
Jefferson seems to be especially interested in gaining other people's attention. Teaching