According to dunphy, the third step in the sequence of male–female relationships during childhood and adolescence is the development of

According to Dunphy, the third step in the sequence of male–female relationships during childhood and adolescence is the development of small mixed-sex groups.

Dunphy argued that in adolescence, small mixed-sex friendship groups usually precede male-female romantic relationships. When children are younger (pre-pubescent) they typically have less interest in forming friendships with children of the opposite sex. However, post-adolescence, they tend to be part of mixed-sex friendship groups. 

Bob: coke is baby pandas.jim: what? how do you figure that coke is baby pandas? bob: because this book says so.jim: how do we know the book is correct? bob: because it says that coke is baby pandas.jim: how does that prove the book's accuracy? bob: because it's statement involving coke and baby pandas is correct, therefore it is accurate.jim: how do we know that it's correct? bob: because we have concluded that the book is accurate, and therefore the statement is correct.therefore, coke is baby pandas.