ABSTRACT
For over a century, child psychologists have been interested in the effects that experiences with peers have on development. This interest has been especially intense during the past 25 years when a broad range of topics regarding the effects of peer relationships have been studied. It is probably safe to say that during this period more has been learned about peer relationships than had been learned in the previous 75 years. Interest in peer relationships has been typically motivated by a single powerful idea that is drawn from several conceptual perspectives and from a large database regarding the precursors of adjustment. This idea is that peers provide essential socialization experiences that are necessary for the acquisition of several fundamental skills, for healthy personality development, and for psychosocial adjustment. According to this idea, peers are not a luxury but are instead a necessity for healthy development and adjustment.
