AFFILIATIVE STRUCTURES IN PRESCHOOL PEER GROUPS

Changes in affiliative organization of 15 age-graded toddler and presc hool play groups were examined in terms of assessed similarity in patt erns of playmate association. Measures of peer association were derive d from direct observation of social interaction during free play. The degree of between subject similarity in association profiles was deriv ed using complete linkage hierarchical clustering procedures. Findings revealed distinct social subgroups in all social groups. Secondary an alyses showed a linear increase in the size of affiliative subgroups a s a function of age. Measures of interactive reciprocity within social subgroups suggested progressive consolidation of affiliative structur es with age. Among older children, membership within affiliative subgr oups was associated with more frequent preferences for subgroup member s, Findings are discussed in terms of how children's insertion within the affiliative network of their peer group constrain socialization of their behavior and provide specific experiences that serve as context s for the construction of more intimate interpersonal relationships.