Peer Interactions and Friendships in an Ethnically Diverse School Setting

Abstract

Peer interaction, social status, and reciprocated friendships were examined in 2 ethnically diverse groups of children: 104 kindergartners and 106 third graders. There was no correlation between social status and ethnicity. Third-grade children formed more cross-ethnic friendships and engaged in more cross-ethnic positive peer interaction than kindergartners. Children with more cross-ethnic friendships and more cross-ethnic peer interaction were no different in social status than children with fewer cross-ethnic experiences.