Peer Conflict and Intrafamily Conflict: Are There Conceptual Bridges?

Although conflict-resolution styles may carry over to some extent from conflict among family members to conflict with peers, there are some important differences. Not only is it true that children must (and do) take more pains to moderate conflict with close friends than with family members, it is also true that among children who are members of an ongoing peer group who are not close friends, there are group dynamics having to do with status relations that govern the way conflict is expressed and resolved. These dynamics are somewhat different for male and female peer groups. The role of positive affect in creating the conditions for conflict resolution is stressed.