The ecology of peer relations

The study of peer relations has arrived at an interesting point both conceptually and in terms of current evidence. In reviewing research with a particular focus on links between family experience and peer competence, it is clear that a sophisticated ecology is emerging. Research in this area is wide‐ranging and innovative, reflecting and defining issues which have relevance to the study of many aspects of child development. A number of key areas which involve new conceptualisations and directions are identified—for example, relationships, bidirectionality and the notion of dynamic genotype/phenotype interaction. Advances in peer research begin to address an increasing demand for collaborative exploration of processes amongst developmentalists, environmentalists and geneticists.