20th Annual Student Research Conference
Education
How do Adolescents Develop and Maintain Social Connections during Lunch?
Chelsea L. Haas♦
Dr. Wendy Miner, Faculty Mentor
The intent of the study, based on qualitative research, was to observe how adolescents develop and maintain social connections during lunch time. Through the use of photographs, observations, and field notes, I recorded topics of conversations, organization of peer groups, interactions with individual students, and organization of student seating. The most prevalent patterns recorded were the following: cliques, discovery of self identity, tom-girl/boys, new students, dating, and friendships with the opposite sex. Each of these patterns is discussed in regards to their development and ability to be maintained, and compared to previous research by theorist. Finally, the effects of bullying and biological factors on the ability to develop and maintain social connections were considered.
Keywords: adolescents, social connections, developing, maintaining, clique, bullying
Topic(s):Education
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 5-2
Location: OP 2121
Time: 8:30 am