All human development is social-situational--that is, it is the result of continued interaction between personal maturation and socialization into group life. For most Americans, it is families and schools under whose direct influence a large proportion of preadult life is spent. Within these communities are subgroups based on age, sex,…

This research essentially presents an overview, historically and contemporarily, of the social-psychological concept of the reference group (or "other"), including theoretical and empirical literature reviews. Basic problems of definition and conceptual confusion are discussed. Concepts such as relative deprivation, anticipatory socialization,…

This research describes an observation study of 100 children, ages 9-13 years, on the island of 'Ua Pou, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. The children were in a French government boarding school in the main valley of the island. Complex, sophisticated group processes among the Marquesan children were observed. The role structures of the group…