Associations of Parental and Peer Characteristics

Authors: Jennifer Riedl Cross Kathryn L Fletcher

Publish Date: 2010/09/05

Volume: 40, Issue: 6, Pages: 694-706

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Abstract

Studies with adults of social dominance orientation SDO a preference for inequality among social groups have found correlations with various prejudices and support for discriminatory practices This study explores the construct among adolescents at an age when they are beginning to recognize the social groups in their environment particularly adolescent crowds The relationship of SDO and perceptions of parents’ responsiveness and demandingness were also investigated Subjects were in grades 9–12 N = 516 53 female 96 White Mother’s and father’s responsiveness significantly predicted adolescent’s SDO scores with greater perceived responsiveness associated with lower SDO To analyze the multiple crowd memberships of the 76 belonging to more than one crowd twostep cluster analysis was used to identify patterns resulting in 8 clusters of distinct heterogeneous composition SDO differed significantly among males in different clusters but not females The importance of membership was positively associated with SDO among highstatus crowds and negatively associated with SDO among the academic and normal crowds The findings have implications for prejudices that may be developing in adolescence and indicate a need for further research into the social context of SDO and its development

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