15 Sociology Adler Peer Power spring

Using our sociological imagination can help us understand how the social world works, what happens and why. Groups, friendships and shifting social dynamics continually fascinate, excite, mystify and frustrate people.

Please base your feedback to the following question on your reading of Adler's "Peer Power- Clique Dynamics among School Children" and your own related experiences that you wish to share
Name: 


  1. what "roles" do you play in your life?
    what "status" or social positions do you hold within groups or social systems?


  1. "Roles are the dynamic aspect of social status" and are "modified more than social status" - Please share a time where you, a friend or someone you know changed roles/status.


  1. Recruitment-
    In terms of clique membership, have you ever recruited someone or been recruited? Explain what happened.


  1. Application-
    Have you ever applied, or actively sought entry to a clique (successfully or unsuccessfully) or rejected the application of another? describe


  1. Friendship realignment-
    Have you witnessed or experienced this? how/what happened?


  1. Ingratiation-
    what "low risk tactics" have you seen or used?
    have you ever imitated the group leader or found yourself being imitated? explain
    How do leaders control or "manipulate": the attention and loyalty of clique members?
    If you don't have a personal experience, use Adler's examples


  1. Exclusion and rejection-
    have you seen/done/experienced this? what happened?





Michael OToole
NJ