Peer status

Social Status in Children

• Social status is influenced by a variety of characteristics, including behavior and social skills.
• Factors such as socioeconomic background, parenting style, and peer relationships contribute to a child's social standing.

Popularity in Middle Childhood

• Characteristics enhancing popularity include strong social skills, physical attractiveness, and the ability to be friendly and cooperative.
• Popular children typically engage in prosocial behaviors and are viewed positively by peers.

Rejection and Unpopularity

• "Nerds" and "geeks" are often unpopular due to perceptions of social ineptitude and differing interests that do not align with peer norms.
• Rejected children are frequently disliked because of aggressive behavior, poor social skills, or withdrawal tendencies.
• Boys are generally more likely to experience peer rejection compared to girls.

Social Information Processing (SIP) and Rejected Children

• Kenneth Dodge's research highlights that rejected children struggle with social information processing, leading to difficulties in interpreting social cues.
• These children often demonstrate a defensive attribution style, blaming others for conflict rather than recognizing their own role.

Characteristics of Rejected and Neglected Children

• Rejected-withdrawn children can be distinguished from neglected children by their level of social withdrawal and tendency to avoid peer interactions.
• A common characteristic among both rejected-withdrawn and neglected children is a higher likelihood of experiencing loneliness and social isolation.

Neglected and Controversial Children

• Neglected children are characterized by their low visibility in social settings, often overlooked by peers rather than actively disliked.
• Controversial children enjoy mixed reactions from peers, having both friends and adversaries, and often possess unique social skills that set them apart from popular children.

Differences in Popular and Controversial Children

• While popular children are generally well-liked and socially skilled, controversial children may engage in behaviors that polarize peer opinions, leading to a more divided social acceptance.