The role of reciprocity and proximity in junior high school friendships

The relationship of reciprocity, sex, and race to friendship proximity in adolescent friendships was studied. Intelligence, personality, physical attractiveness, popularity, and proximity were measured for 136 junior high school students. Subjects were classified as either having reciprocated or nonreciprocated friendships. Reciprocated adolescents were perceived as more attractive, had higher social status, and were more committed to their best friend than nonreciprocated adolescents. More black than white students were in the nonreciprocated group. White students had more in-school contact and black students more out-of-school contact with their friends.This study was supported by a grant from the Wake Forest University Research and Publication Fund. A portion of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, Georgia, March 1985.Received Ph.D. from University of Illinois. Currently studying the friendships and peer relations of children and adolescents.Received M.A. from Wake Forest University. Current interests include child clinical, behavior modification, and the social relationships of children and adolescents.