Adolescent peer crowds and patterns of belief in the boundaries of personal authority

Patterns of authority beliefs were examined among peer crowds in 598 middle school (M = 12.97 years), early high school (M = 15.10 years), and late high school adolescents (M = 18.25 years). Participants reported beliefs regarding the boundaries of personal authority across personal, prudential, conventional, moral, and multifaceted issues. As expected, analyses revealed persistent differences in belief patterns among crowds within each age group. Tough and Alternative crowds asserted personal authority across all issues, while Prep and Outcast crowds endorsed parental authority. Jock, Hip Hop, and Normal crowds presented with shared-control patterns, but each crowd ceded and asserted authority over different issues. Discussion focused on crowdsʹ roles in the development of group differences in the boundaries of personal authority.