Differences and consistency between same-sex and other-sex peer relationships during early adolescence.

Studied, with 3 samples, children's and early adolescents' preferences for same-sex peers and the consistency of individual differences in reputation and popularity across the same- and other-sex domains. Findings indicate that individual differences in the same-sex preference (1) derived from children's liking of other-sex peers, (2) were consistent over relatively long intervals, and (3) were related to children's preferences for activities requiring gross motor skills. Same- and other-sex popularity had the same reputational correlates, except that acceptance among other-sex peers was more closely tied to prominence in the peer group. These findings are discussed according to children's and early adolescents' perceptions of and experiences with same- and other-sex peers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)