Having a best friend in middle school who is more intelligent is prospectively associated with greater adolescent intelligence at the start of high school

Meldrum, Ryan, Nicholas Kavish, and Brian Boutwell 2018. “On the Longitudinal Association Between Peer and Adolescent Intelligence: Can Our Friends Make Us Smarter?”. PsyArXiv. February 10. psyarxiv.com/tvj9z

Abstract: For decades now scholars have examined various aspects concerning the development of intelligence across the lifespan. Little research, however, has considered the potential for peers to influence intellectual growth over time. To advance this area of research, we use data collected on 715 adolescents and their best friends who participated in the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development to examine the longitudinal association between best friend and adolescent intelligence. The results of our analyses indicate that, even after controlling for prior levels of intelligence and a number of other potential selection factors, having a best friend in middle school who is more intelligent is prospectively associated with greater adolescent intelligence at the start of high school.