The study by Jacquelynne S. Eccles and Bonnie L. Barber examines the benefits and risks associated with participation in five types of extracurricular activities: prosocial (church and volunteer activities), team sports, school involvement, performing arts, and academic clubs. The research, based on a sample of 1,259 mostly European American adolescents, explores the links between these activities and positive and negative developmental outcomes. Key findings include: 1. **Prosocial Activities**: Involvement in prosocial activities was linked to positive educational trajectories and low rates of risky behaviors such as alcohol use. 2. **Team Sports**: Participation in team sports was associated with positive educational outcomes but also with higher rates of alcohol consumption. 3. **School Involvement**: School-related activities were positively correlated with academic performance and college attendance. 4. **Performing Arts**: Involvement in performing arts was linked to lower rates of risky behaviors and better academic outcomes, particularly for males. 5. **Academic Clubs**: Academic clubs were primarily associated with academic outcomes, including higher GPAs and increased likelihood of college enrollment. The study also investigates the role of peer associations and activity-based identity formation in mediating these associations. Peer groups and activity-based identities were found to influence the outcomes of adolescents involved in different types of activities, with prosocial activities leading to the most positive outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the synergistic forces among identity, peer group cultures, and activity involvement in shaping adolescent development.The study by Jacquelynne S. Eccles and Bonnie L. Barber examines the benefits and risks associated with participation in five types of extracurricular activities: prosocial (church and volunteer activities), team sports, school involvement, performing arts, and academic clubs. The research, based on a sample of 1,259 mostly European American adolescents, explores the links between these activities and positive and negative developmental outcomes. Key findings include: 1. **Prosocial Activities**: Involvement in prosocial activities was linked to positive educational trajectories and low rates of risky behaviors such as alcohol use. 2. **Team Sports**: Participation in team sports was associated with positive educational outcomes but also with higher rates of alcohol consumption. 3. **School Involvement**: School-related activities were positively correlated with academic performance and college attendance. 4. **Performing Arts**: Involvement in performing arts was linked to lower rates of risky behaviors and better academic outcomes, particularly for males. 5. **Academic Clubs**: Academic clubs were primarily associated with academic outcomes, including higher GPAs and increased likelihood of college enrollment. The study also investigates the role of peer associations and activity-based identity formation in mediating these associations. Peer groups and activity-based identities were found to influence the outcomes of adolescents involved in different types of activities, with prosocial activities leading to the most positive outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the synergistic forces among identity, peer group cultures, and activity involvement in shaping adolescent development.