Relationship between Shared Objects and Psychological Functions of Sharing Among Junior High School Friends

Abstract

Psychological functions of sharing among junior high school friends were examined and the relationship between shared objects and psychological functions of sharing was investigated. Participants were junior high school students (N=1068). The result of factor analyzing items on psychological functions of sharing indicated the following six factors: "motivation", "increased pleasure", "friendly evaluation from others", "increased feeling of burden", "achievement evaluation from others", and "increased negative evaluations from others." Descriptions of objects shared with friends were classified into eight categories and psychological function of sharing scores was compared for the most important shared object. Result indicated the following; 1) "psychological sharing" such as "feelings" and "goals" had positive functions. 2) "Material sharing" such as "things" did not have either a positive or negative functions. 3) "Behavioral sharing" such as "chatting" and "school activities" had negative functions. These results suggest that friendships that included "psychological sharing" increased "motivation" and "pleasure" in junior high school students, and was deeper than friendships based on "behavioral sharing" and "material sharing".