Final answer:
The hydraulic model of peer influence suggests that peer groups exert significant pressure that can lead to conformity within the group. Peers are key in shaping behavior, social norms, and political attitudes, particularly through social media which can amplify existing beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hydraulic model of peer influence assumes that peer groups can exert powerful pressures on individuals, leading to conformity and adoption of similar behaviors and attitudes. In the context of socialization among school-aged children, peers serve as a significant agent, influencing various aspects of development and behavior. Peer groups provide a framework within which individuals learn social norms, develop political and social beliefs, and form identities. Especially during adolescence, peers can be more influential in certain areas than parents or other adults. For example, while parents may have a greater impact on teens regarding sexual behavior, peers might have more influence in aspects such as fashion choices or leisure activities.
Given the widespread use of social media, young individuals can now form peer connections beyond their immediate geographical location. This digital extension allows them to choose peers with common interests and beliefs, potentially reinforcing pre-existing viewpoints and creating 'echo chambers' that may limit exposure to diverse perspectives. Concerning school-aged children, peers often facilitate the learning of social norms and cooperative behaviors, like taking turns or following the rules of a game. As they grow, these peer groups continue to shape how individuals talk, dress, and view the world, including political affiliations and attitudes, albeit within the constraints of a child's environment predominantly shaped by parents' choices and circumstances.