PERC Seminar: Blurred lines: Bullying, friendship, and the peer group in primary school

In this presentation I will be talking about children’s peer relationships at school, and the role that both friendship and aggression play in the peer group. In particular, I will discuss my research into the important role of reciprocal best friendship and friendship quality on the self-worth and peer identification in primary school children (aged 7-11). In addition, I will explore the peer relationships of children identified as aggressors, illustrating that bullying behaviour does not necessarily impact negatively on their friendships. Through the presentation I will argue for the need to take a contextual perspective to understanding peer relationships at school, recognising complexity in the roles children can assume in their social network.

Bio

Rachel is Associate Professor in Psychology at The University of Northampton, specialising in the psychology of education. She is a chartered psychologist, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (now Advance HE). Her main research area is social relationships in education settings, with a particular interest in children’s peer relationships, friendships and bullying. Rachel is also interested in transition, both in education and in other spheres of life, and has recently finished writing a multi-authored book on lifespan transitions. Rachel has been at The University of Northampton since 2008, having previously worked at The University of Warwick, and Liverpool John Moores University.