Interactional model of antisocial tendencies with best friend versus peer based on social information-processing

Abstract

This study examined the interactional model of best friend versus peer influence on antisocial tendencies, based on the social information-processing model. In study 1, the subjective interactional model revealed that peer influence was greater than the influence of a single best friend. In study 2, the objective interactional model revealed that best friend or peer antisocial tendencies mutually influenced each other, primarily at the cognitive level, but not at the behavioral tendency level. The difference in causal direction between the individual and his/her best friend or peer implied that the best friend's influence can be construed as intentional seeking for deviant others, whereas peer influence was construed as deviancy training.View full abstract