The influence of classroom ethnic composition on same- and other-ethnicity peer nominations in middle school

The study of peer group status typically involves examination of peer nominations received. In this study, the focus was on nominations given and received. We examined the degree to which middle school students from different ethnic groups demonstrate same-ethnicity preferences in their peer nominations, the effects of the classroom ethnic composition on these preferences, and the association between same-ethnicity preferences and social standing. Latina/o, Asian, and White students demonstrated a positive same-ethnicity bias (i.e., greater acceptance and less rejection of same-ethnicity peers) whereas African-American students demonstrated a global same-ethnicity bias (i.e., they were more likely to nominate African-American students in general). All students made more nominations to same-ethnicity peers when there were larger numbers of same-ethnicity peers in the classroom. Students who made more acceptance nominations to same-ethnicity peers were more accepted among same-ethnicity peers and less accepted among other-ethnicity peers. The significance of the ethnic context to understanding students' peer status and the benefits and costs of same-ethnicity biases are discussed.