ADOLESCENTS SOCIAL GOALS, BELIEFS ABOUT THE CAUSES OF SOCIAL SUCCESS,AND SATISFACTION IN PEER RELATIONS

The social goals and beliefs involved in adolescent peer relationships were examined for 266 9th-grade students (approximate age = 14 years) . Factor analysis of questionnaire responses revealed 6 goals pursued by adolescents in their relationships with their peers: intimacy, Nurt urance, Dominance, Leadership, Popularity, and Avoidance. Six beliefs about behaviors or circumstances that lead to success in peer relation ships were also identified: Being Sincere, Having Status, Being Respon sible, Pretending to Care, Entertaining Others, and Being Tough. The p rediction that there should be meaningful connections between sets of goals and beliefs was supported. Finally, prosocial goals and beliefs were positively associated with satisfaction with peer relationships b ut not related to peer sociometric nominations.