Popularity and Criteria for Popularity for Boys and Girls

On March 31, 2017, at a regular SESL seminar, Vera Titkova presented her report “Popularity and Criteria for Popularity for Boys and Girls.”

Teenagers have a need to be successful and popular among their peers. They try achieving and maintaining their status in their group by selecting the most appropriate behavior (from their point of view). For example, they may start doing sports, dress up fashionably, or socialize a lot.  In certain contexts, this behavior may include arguments with teachers or aggressive behavior towards their own classmates.The goal of this study is investigate, what types of behavior among students of gymnasiums and lyceums are connected with their popularity in their class, and what are the traits or features, which make them more attractive for their peers. In her research, the also considered the context of the class (or the environment), which may be very different, which means that reasons for popularity may be different as well.Student’s gender is the main factor that affects criteria for popularity. The criteria for popularity that affect assessment of students behavior, are different for boys and for girls. As a result, it was found that peers more often find girls popular because they have attractive looks. Boys usually get a higher status in their groups because of their independent behavior. However it’s interesting and important to note that girls and boys become equally popular if they are considered smart. The students who achieve greater academic success also get a higher status in their classes. The higher the academic performance is valued in the class, the more popular the student will be.